Torridge District Council has welcomed the successful conclusion of an animal welfare prosecution following a complex, multi‑agency investigation into serious concerns within the district.
Ross Skilton of Bridgerule, was found guilty of offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and was sentenced at Barnstaple Magistrates’ Court on 1 May 2026. The court imposed a 10‑year disqualification from keeping any animal, ordered £400 towards costs, and issued a 12‑month Community Order requiring 120 hours of unpaid work and 12 Mental Health Treatment Requirement (MHTR) sessions.
In addition, due to Skilton failing to surrender to the court, a further 12‑month Community Order was imposed, including additional unpaid work and MHTR sessions.
Torridge District Council initially received a complaint from a member of the public who had purchased a Jack Russell cross English Springer Spaniel puppy from an unlicensed breeder. The buyer raised concerns about the puppy’s health, reporting that it was underweight, infested with fleas and worms, and had a strong unpleasant odour. They also expressed serious concerns about the conditions at the property and suggested that Bengal cats may also have been bred and sold from the address.
Due to the severity of the concerns raised, Torridge District Council executed a search warrant at the property in January 2025. The visit was carried out as a coordinated multi‑agency operation involving a veterinary professional, RSPCA officers, police officers, and officers from the Council’s Neighbourhood and Licensing teams.
During the visit, officers were confronted with extremely poor living conditions. The property was heavily contaminated with animal waste, including diarrhoea on furniture, urine throughout the rooms and stairways, and cat faeces measuring several centimetres deep in one room.
Several animals were found to be living in distressing circumstances. Two young dogs were discovered shut inside a kitchen with no access to drinking water and were visibly desperate for hydration. Seven Bengal cats of various ages were discovered at the address. One Bengal kitten was assessed by a veterinary surgeon and diagnosed with gastrointestinal disease, which would have caused pain and suffering for at least two weeks. A further two dogs were found living in a shed in the garden.
While there was insufficient evidence for Torridge District Council to pursue a prosecution for unlicensed breeding or selling of animals as pets, the attending vet and RSPCA officers determined that the appalling conditions highlighted clear breaches of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. All animals were therefore removed from the property by the RSPCA, with support from Torridge District Council and the police, and taken to suitable accommodation where they could receive veterinary treatment and ongoing care.
With time, specialist care and the support of the RSPCA and partner charities, all of the animals made significant physical and emotional recoveries and were ultimately rehomed.
The RSPCA led the case through the court process, supported by evidence gathered by Torridge District Council, resulting in the successful conviction and sentencing. Sentencing took place on Friday 1 May 2026 at Barnstaple Magistrates’ Court.
Councillor Philip Hackett, Lead Member for Public Health and Community Safety at Torridge District Council, said: “This was a deeply concerning case, with animals found living in appalling conditions and suffering as a result. It highlights the vital importance of effective multi‑agency working in protecting animal welfare and ensuring that such cases are thoroughly investigated. I would like to thank Torridge District Council officers and all the agencies involved, particularly the RSPCA, for their professionalism, commitment and persistence in supporting the rescue and recovery of the animals and in leading this successful prosecution.”
“This case highlights how important it is to buy animals from businesses who hold an appropriate animal activity licence with their local authority. Such businesses meet stringent welfare criteria, under a licensing regime that sits under The Animal Welfare Act 2006.”
