Animal Offences (FOI Ref 428/26)
FOI Request Reference: 428/26
Thank you for your request for information, received 11/2/2026.
Request
For 2024 and 2025, please provide the following information for the offence codes listed below.
For each offence I would like the:
- Month / Year
- Animal involved
- summary of the MO test (redacted)
- location (Devon or Cornwall)
- Offence Outcome
121/13 - Hunting a wild mammal with dogs
121/13 - Knowingly permit dog to be used for hunting a wild mammal
121/14 - Knowingly permit land to be entered / used for hunting a wild mammal with dogs
121/20 - Control / handle dog in the course of / for the purposes of a hare coursing event
097/04 - Administer a poisonous / injurious drug / substance to a protected animal
108/32 - Administer a poisonous / injurious drug / substance to a protected animal - Animal Welfare Act 2006
108/29 - Aid and abet the causing of unnecessary suffering to a protected animal
122/07 - Allow animal to stray on a highway
108/36 - Breach a disqualification imposed after conviction - Animal Welfare Act 2006
099/99 - Bring animals / animal products / genetic material in breach of declaration to suspend / impose conditions on import
097/02 - Cause the carrying out of a prohibited procedure on a protected animal
097/01 - Cause unnecessary suffering to a protected animal
108/29 - Cause unnecessary suffering to a protected animal - Animal Welfare Act 2006
108/24 - Cause use of weapon to kill / take schedule 6 wild animal
197/01 - Damage / destroy a breeding site / resting place of a wild animal of a European protected species
108/23 - Damage / destroy schedule 5 wild animal shelter
119/01 - Daytime trespass in pursuit of game - poaching
197/01 - Disturb a wild animal of a European protected species
108/23 - Disturb sheltering schedule 5 wild animal
108/34 - Duty of person responsible for animal to ensure welfare - Animal Welfare Act 2006
108/24 - Fail to inspect snare for wild animal every day
108/23 - Intentionally / recklessly disturb schedule 5 wild animal - dolphin / whale / shark
108/23 - Kill a schedule 5 wild animal
108/23 - Obstruct access to schedule 5 wild animal shelter
195/99 - Produce / exhibit / supply a film involving the infliction of pain / terror / goading of an animal
098/98 - Release an invasive alien species of animal into the wild / allow to escape
097/04 - Responsible for a protected animal permit / cause another to administer a poison
097/01 - Responsible person fail to prevent the causing of unnecessary suffering to an animal
108/29 - Responsible person fail to prevent the causing of unnecessary suffering to an animal - Animal Welfare Act 2006
108/24 - Use snare / weapon to kill / take wild animal
If redacting the MO Text would exceed the appropriate limit under Section 12 then please remove c)
Response
We can confirm that some relevant information is held by West Midlands Police. However, while the majority of the information is attached to this email. I am not required to release all of the information requested. Please find attached our response.
Please note that all the offences you have requested have been searched for. The results below are the only ones that came back with any results.
The offences listed, except for offence code 097/01 are non-notifiable - meaning, there is no requirement for police forces to record a crime in respect to these occurrences.
Type of animal involved is not a category when recording a crime, it would be recorded under the property field which is not mandatory. Where the animal has been recorded the results are below in the ANIMAL INVOLVED section.
It is important to note, type of animal involved is reliant on accurate recording and inputting at the time of reporting/recording the offence.
It should also be noted a single offence can be linked to more than one animal/type of animal. Figures provide the type of animals involved, but not the number of animals.
OFFENCES
|
Offence Title with Home Office Code |
Jan-24 |
Feb-24 |
Mar-24 |
Apr-24 |
May-24 |
Jun-24 |
Jul-24 |
Aug-24 |
Sep-24 |
Oct-24 |
Nov-24 |
Dec-24 |
|
Administration of poisons etc to a protected animal (097/04) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Carrying out, permitting, causing to be carried out or failing to prevent prohibited procedure on a protected animal (097/02) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Causing, permitting or failing to prevent unnecessary suffering of protected animal (097/01) |
5 |
6 |
7 |
11 |
7 |
12 |
10 |
13 |
7 |
8 |
8 |
11 |
|
Offence Title with Home Office Code |
Jan-25 |
Feb-25 |
Mar-25 |
Apr-25 |
May-25 |
Jun-25 |
Jul-25 |
Aug-25 |
Sep-25 |
Oct-25 |
Nov-25 |
Dec-25 |
|
Administration of poisons etc to a protected animal (097/04) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Carrying out, permitting, causing to be carried out or failing to prevent prohibited procedure on a protected animal (097/02) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Causing, permitting or failing to prevent unnecessary suffering of protected animal (097/01) |
10 |
5 |
15 |
10 |
15 |
8 |
11 |
6 |
10 |
13 |
5 |
4 |
ANIMAL INVOLVED
|
Animal Involved
|
Jan-24 |
Feb-24 |
Mar-24 |
Apr-24 |
May-24 |
Jun-24 |
Jul-24 |
Aug-24 |
Sep-24 |
Oct-24 |
Nov-24 |
Dec-24 |
|
Birds |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cat |
3 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
|
Chicken |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dog |
2 |
6 |
7 |
11 |
5 |
8 |
10 |
10 |
7 |
6 |
5 |
8 |
|
Monkey |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Rabbit |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Swans |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Not Stated |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Animal Involved
|
Jan-25 |
Feb-25 |
Mar-25 |
Apr-25 |
May-25 |
Jun-25 |
Jul-25 |
Aug-25 |
Sep-25 |
Oct-25 |
Nov-25 |
Dec-25 |
|
Birds |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cat |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Chicken |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dog |
10 |
5 |
14 |
5 |
13 |
5 |
9 |
6 |
8 |
12 |
5 |
4 |
|
Monkey |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Rabbit |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Swans |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Not Stated |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
LOCATION
|
LPA |
Jan-24 |
Feb-24 |
Mar-24 |
Apr-24 |
May-24 |
Jun-24 |
Jul-24 |
Aug-24 |
Sep-24 |
Oct-24 |
Nov-24 |
Dec-24 |
|
Birmingham |
3 |
1 |
2 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
7 |
4 |
6 |
2 |
4 |
|
Coventry |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Dudley |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
|
Sandwell |
2 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
|
Solihull |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Walsall |
0 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
Wolverhampton |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
LPA |
Jan-25 |
Feb-25 |
Mar-25 |
Apr-25 |
May-25 |
Jun-25 |
Jul-25 |
Aug-25 |
Sep-25 |
Oct-25 |
Nov-25 |
Dec-25 |
|
Birmingham |
9 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
8 |
3 |
7 |
2 |
5 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
|
Coventry |
0 |
1 |
2 |
6 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Dudley |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
|
Sandwell |
1 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
|
Solihull |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
|
Walsall |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wolverhampton |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
OFFENCE OUTCOME
|
Outcome Description |
Jan-24 |
Feb-24 |
Mar-24 |
Apr-24 |
May-24 |
Jun-24 |
Jul-24 |
Aug-24 |
Sep-24 |
Oct-24 |
Nov-24 |
Dec-24 |
|
Caution – Adult (Inc Conditional Caution) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Charge or summons |
2 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Community Resolution |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Evidential Difficulties - Victim Based - Named suspect not identified |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Further action will be taken by another body |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
|
Investigation Complete: No suspect identified |
0 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
|
Named Suspect identified: evidential difficulties prevent further action (no victim support) |
2 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
|
Named Suspect identified: evidential difficulties prevent further action (victim support) |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
|
Suspect Identified, but not in the public interest for police to investigate |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
No outcome |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Outcome Description |
Jan-25 |
Feb-25 |
Mar-25 |
Apr-25 |
May-25 |
Jun-25 |
Jul-25 |
Aug-25 |
Sep-25 |
Oct-25 |
Nov-25 |
Dec-25 |
|
Caution – Adult (Inc Conditional Caution) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Charge or summons |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
|
Community Resolution |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Evidential Difficulties - Victim Based - Named suspect not identified |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Further action will be taken by another body |
3 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
Investigation Complete: No suspect identified |
0 |
0 |
2 |
6 |
5 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
|
Named Suspect identified: evidential difficulties prevent further action (no victim support) |
1 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Named Suspect identified: evidential difficulties prevent further action (victim support) |
3 |
2 |
5 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
|
Suspect Identified, but not in the public interest for police to investigate |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
No outcome |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
MODUS OPERANDI (redacted)
|
No. of crimes |
Incident Summary |
|
1 |
Cat decapitated |
|
3 |
Cat thrown across room |
|
5 |
Dog stabbed |
|
19 |
Dog punched |
|
32 |
Dog Kicked |
|
1 |
Animals at house - dead birds in cages and dog in cage outside |
|
1 |
2 dogs and 2 cats malnourished at address |
|
3 |
Hitting and kicking dog |
|
9 |
Beating a dog |
|
1 |
Cutting dogs paws |
|
2 |
Kicked a police dog |
|
1 |
2 dogs kicked and stamped on - one died |
|
8 |
Dog thrown |
|
1 |
Dog had burn marks |
|
6 |
Dog abused |
|
1 |
Dog slapped |
|
99 |
Dog neglected at address |
|
2 |
Dog hit with metal pole |
|
1 |
Beating cat to death |
|
1 |
Owner seen beating his dog with a stick and fists |
|
1 |
Cruelty to monkey |
|
1 |
Cat burnt to death |
|
1 |
Police dog strangled |
|
1 |
4 dead puppies |
|
2 |
Kitten/cat thrown across room |
|
10 |
Cat shot by pellet |
|
2 |
Dog fell out of window and died |
|
1 |
Dog picked up and slammed into the ground |
|
1 |
Dog and cat poisoned by neighbour |
|
1 |
10 x dogs and 1 chicken neglected |
|
1 |
4 x rabbit thrown to the ground and killed |
|
1 |
Dog hit with stick |
|
1 |
Dogs attacked cat |
|
2 |
Dog killed |
|
1 |
Dead dog found at address |
|
1 |
2 dead rabbits at address |
|
1 |
Dog hit with broom |
|
1 |
Two cats attacked by homeowner |
|
1 |
Swans being harmed |
|
1 |
Dog injured by neighbour |
|
1 |
Kitten killed |
|
1 |
Kicked cat and dog |
|
1 |
Cat locked in suitcase |
|
1 |
Dogs dumped at tip |
|
1 |
Dog whipped |
|
1 |
Dead dog found in garden |
|
1 |
Ear clipping of dog |
|
1 |
Dog deceased found at address |
|
1 |
Dogs trained for fighting |
|
1 |
Dog starved and dead at address |
|
1 |
Dog deliberate injury caused |
|
1 |
Dog thrown out of window |
|
1 |
Rabbit thrown against wall causing injury |
|
1 |
Dog attacked by owner |
|
1 |
Cat poisoned |
|
1 |
Dog attacked by owner |
|
1 |
Cat slapped |
|
1 |
Dog ran over by vehicle |
|
1 |
Dog strangled |
|
1 |
Cat killed |
|
1 |
Dog put in suitcase and thrown into pond - dog deceased |
|
1 |
Dog hit with object |
|
1 |
Dog abandoned in street tied to lamppost clearly neglected |
|
1 |
Dog abandoned |
|
1 |
Cat attacked by owner |
|
1 |
Dog hit with metal pole |
|
1 |
Shot dead swan |
|
1 |
assaulting a Dog with bottles. |
|
1 |
Male suspects shooting firearms at birds which are landing in the neighbours' gardens. |
|
1 |
Wood thrown at dog by neighbour |
|
1 |
Dog hit and neglected |
|
1 |
2 x dogs kicked and bred from - any dead puppies are thrown into the canal |
|
1 |
Cat killed deliberately |
|
1 |
Dog has attacked and killed other dogs at address |
|
1 |
Cat stamped on - deceased |
|
1 |
Dog slashed with knife |
|
1 |
Reporting person has seen suspect hit his dog several times to the face. |
|
1 |
Dog assaulted |
|
1 |
Landowner of neighbour’s house attacked IP's dog with a rake. |
|
1 |
Cat attacked and put to sleep |
|
1 |
Cat kicked |
|
1 |
Dog assaulted |
|
1 |
Dog hit with wooden stick |
|
1 |
Dog choked |
|
1 |
Dog strangled |
|
1 |
Dog attacked |
|
1 |
Dog deceased - neglected |
|
1 |
Dog burnt |
|
1 |
1 x dog and 3 kittens abandoned at address |
Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that this data has been extracted from a number of data sources used by forces for police purposes. The detail collected to respond specifically to your request may be subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large-scale recording system. Consequently, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are considered when interpreting the data.
The figures provided therefore are our best interpretation of data which has relevance to your request, but you should be aware that the collation of figures for ad hoc requests may have limitations and this should be considered when those data are used.
If you decide to write an article / use the enclosed data, we would ask you to take into consideration the factors highlighted in this document so as to not mislead members of the public or official bodies or misrepresent the relevance of the whole or any part of this disclosed material.
REASONS FOR DECISION
The withheld information is exempt by virtue of the following exemption.
The data has been presented in such a way that an individual may not be identified. To create for each offence one line of data for all of the Offence – location – outcome – animal – modus operandi would result in a mosaic effect allowing for a person with one piece of the jigsaw to put the rest together and potentially reveal the identity of an individual.
The modus operandi is redacted and is presented on its own to protect the identity of those involved in the incident.
Section 40 (2) personal data
Section 40(2) is an absolute and class-based exemption if to release the information exists would breach the third party’s data protection rights. In this case to release this personal information would not constitute fair processing of the data. As this exemption is class-based I am not required to identify the harm in disclosure and in this instance, I believe that the right to privacy outweighs any public interest in release.
Any further details regarding these incidents are exempt by the following:
Section 40 (2) – Personal information
These exemptions and explanatory notes are shown here: