Bransgore man charged with animal cruelty offences in Dorset

Dorset police officers were supported by colleagues from Hampshire Constabulary as they conducted a search under warrant at an address in Bransgore in the New Forest in Hampshire on Monday, October 3, 2022.

The raid on October 3 (Image: Dorset Police Rural Crime Team)

It followed a series of incidents involving reported cruelty to deer and hares in Dorset, as well as other offences.

A 23-year-old man was arrested and a dog seized, and, following a detailed investigation, he has now been charged with the following offences:

• Seven counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal

• Two offences of attempting to kill a deer at night

• Four counts of criminal damage

• Handling stolen goods

• Using a motor vehicle on a road or public place without third party insurance

• Driving a motor vehicle otherwise in accordance with a licence

The 23-year-old man's dog was seized by police (Image: Dorset Police Rural Crime Team)

He is due to appear at Poole Magistrates' Court on Friday, January 20, 2023.

Two other men were arrested that same week in October, one of which is alleged to have rammed three vehicles - one of which was a police car. 

These two men remain released under investigation as enquiries continue.