Catapult ban for Verwood man after dog killed chicken

Sonny-Joe Barney was made subject to the five-year criminal behaviour order by the courts.

Barney, of Summer Fields, Verwood, received a 12-month community order and disqualification order banning him from keeping dogs or chickens for a year when he was sentenced last month.

The 20-year-old defendant admitted an offence of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

He was back before Poole Magistrates’ Court on Friday, July 14, when Dorset Police rural crime team officers successfully secured the series of prohibitions.

Sonny Joe-Barney (Image: Dorset Police)

Barney must not do the following:

• Be in possession of a wild animal, wild bird or part of a wild animal or bird living or dead.
• Be knowingly in possession of a catapult or shot such as ball bearings or a hunting lamp including in a vehicle with a catapult or such shot in a place to which the public have access or private land as a trespasser.
• Allow a dog under his control off a lead except on private land with the landowners written permission which must be presented to a police officer on request.
• Be on private farmland, agricultural land or forestry land without written permission of the appropriate authority or landowner, this permission must be presented to a police officer on request.

If Barney breaches any of the terms of the order, he can be arrested and brought back before the court.

An investigation was launched into mobile phone footage which was believed to have been taken in July 2022 and showed the defendant releasing a dog on a chicken.

The chicken was killed as a result of the incident. It was suspected that Barney had been looking to take part in hare coursing and during the incident he commented that a hare could not be found so the chicken would be killed, police said.

Poole Magistrates' Court

PC Lauren Middleton, of Dorset Police’s Rural Crime Team, said: “Our investigation revealed evidence that Barney was believed to be involved in hare coursing and the offence for which he has been convicted shows that he has little regard for the welfare of animals.

“We have worked hard to compile evidence and secure this order from the court, which we hope will assist in stopping the defendant from reoffending in the future. We would like to send a special thank you to Dorset Council’s Community Safety Team for helping us secure this order.

“We hope this demonstrates to our rural communities that we will take decisive action against those who commit offences of this nature, and we would urge them to work with us by reporting any suspected breaches of the order to police so we can take further steps if necessary.”