Hard-Hitting Dog Owner Gets Seven-County Criminal Behaviour Order
Charlie Hawker, 28, from Kenardington, has been slapped with a serious Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) across seven counties after his dog turned livestock terror. The Kent Police Rural Task Force took action following two shocking attacks on sheep earlier this year.
£300 Fine and Compensation for Dead Sheep
At Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on June 9, 2022, Hawker admitted owning a dog that caused trouble for farm animals. He was fined £300 and ordered to pay compensation to the farmers who suffered losses. Magistrates also hit him with a three-year CBO, putting strict controls on his dog handling.
Strict New Rules to Protect Livestock
- No possessing or controlling a dog on private land without written permission.
- Walking dogs in public only if muzzled and on a lead with a metal clip collar.
- Dogs can’t be let off the lead in public unless on private property with owner permission.
This CBO isn’t just limited to Kent. Thanks to police collaboration, it now covers Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex too.
Deadly Dog Attacks Spark Crackdown
Earlier this year, Hawker’s dog chased and killed a sheep near Kenardington on March 10. Then on April 8, the same dog attacked a pregnant ewe near Appledore, killing her and two unborn lambs.
“CBOs of this type are designed to prevent all kinds of crimes involving dogs, including sheep worrying, hunting, poaching, and hare coursing,” said PC Paul Williams of the Rural Task Force.
“Farmers have the right to raise their livestock without fear of dogs killing them and destroying their livelihoods. We will pursue repeat offenders like Hawker, and I hope the CBO we obtained protects farmers in Kent and the six other counties involved in this scheme.”
