Sadistic Somerset Farmer Avoids Prison for Dragging Dog Behind Car

A sadistic Somerset farmer has avoided a stint behind bars for dragging a dog along the road with his car.

Kim Norman Rendell, 65, of Southover Road, High Littleton, Somerset, admitted two offences of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal when he appeared at North Somerset Magistrates' Court in October 2023.

Having deemed their sentencing powers insufficient, Magistrates sent the case to Bristol Crown Court for sentencing on Tuesday, 12th December 2023.

Causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal is an offence under section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2004. The maximum penalty is 5 years' custody and/or an unlimited fine on conviction on indictment; 12 months' custody and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction.

The RSPCA's version of events, as accepted by virtue of Rendell's guilty plea, is outlined below.

Rendell was observed dragging 9-year-old husky Daisy behind his car as he drove through Timsbury, Somerset, on the afternoon of Monday, 17th April 2023.

Dashcam footage from a following car showed the farmer's red Nissan Micra dragging the distressed animal along the abrasive road surface for a distance of between 200 and 300 metres.

Motorists shouted, flashed their headlights and sounded their horns in an effort to attract Rendell's attention, but he continued driving.

He eventually stopped his car, having dragged Daisy for around one minute, when flagged down by a pedestrian.

Members of the public remonstrated with Rendell at the roadside. One woman said she would take Daisy to the vet is he was not going to.

Rendell, who was said to be amused at the time, told the woman: "It's my dog and I'll do what I want".

He then removed a dustbin from the boot of the Micra and placed Daisy in the back before driving away from the scene.

The police were called and quickly identified Rendall as the registered keeper of the Micra. Within an hour they had tracked him down to his mother's home, where they found him there having a haircut and enjoying a cup of tea.

Daisy was nowhere to be seen. When questioned about the whereabouts of the seriously injured dog, the arrogant 65-year-old refused to give her location and said he would seek veterinary assistance.

Police arrested Rendell on suspicion of an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2004. Along with RSPCA officers they spent the next two-and-a-half hours looking for Daisy, eventually finding her in a cow shed on Gossard Lane, High Littleton.

Daisy was then rushed on blue lights to a veterinary hospital in Bristol.

Meanwhile in custody Rendell was being rude and uncooperative with officers, telling them: "I don't like this. I don't like this at fucking all". It was noted that his white trainers were heavily blood stained, reflective of Daisy's serious injuries.

Despite the best efforts of veterinary staff, it was decided euthanise Daisy to stop her further suffering. She was in a very grave state, having sustained full-thickness skin loss to both hind legs and an open fracture to her foot.

Rendell had no previous convictions.

HHJ Michael Longman, sentencing, told Rendell that his behaviour in frustrating the police's efforts to locate Daisy were "truly dreadful".

The Judge added: "I don't believe that you were devastated. You showed a deliberate disregard for Daisy's welfare in failing to seek treatment."

Rendell was sentenced to 8 months' custody suspended for 2 years, with the requirement that he completes 300 hours' unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay £187 surcharge and £5,000 towards the RSPCA's prosecution costs.

Additionally, he was disqualified from owning or keeping animals, with the exception of fish or cattle, for a period of 20 years.

The relevant sentencing guideline for this offence, which HHJ Longman would have carefully considered, can be viewed here. I would note that the Judge has arrived at a sentence within the power of the Magistrates' Court, which is clearly out of kilter with the initial view of that court at the time.

I would be curious as to the Judge's reasons for suspending the term of imprisonment. They should have been announced in court, but have once again gone unreported.

Despite having avoided immediate custody, I can imagine local attitudes towards Rendell will be frosty from now on. He will undoubtedly experience hostility as a result of his abysmal conduct.