Man Who Forced Dog to Kill Ferret Slapped with Suspended Jail Sentence
A brutal animal cruelty case has ended with a suspended jail sentence for Joshua Wanless, 28, who forced a dog to kill a defenseless ferret in Walton.
Horrific Attack Uncovered in Walton Green
On January 30, police were called to Apple Court Green in Walton, following reports that Wanless had locked a dog in a cage with a ferret, forcing the animal to kill it. Officers stopped Wanless as he drove nearby and found chilling evidence in his car.
- A live ferret cramped in a box in the boot
- A blood-stained cage
- A dog with fresh blood on its nose
- The ferret, already killed, dumped on the green
Text Messages Expose Wanless’ Cruel Intentions
Wildlife & Rural Crime Coordinator PC Hollie Iribar slammed the act as “abhorrent,” revealing Wanless initially tried to claim the ferret escaped and died accidentally. But investigators uncovered damning texts on his phone that showed he had planned the savage act for his own twisted pleasure.
“Using dogs to commit crimes like this is disgusting. Such barbaric acts are often linked to serious criminal networks,” PC Iribar said. “Bringing offenders like Wanless to justice disrupts organised crime and protects our communities.”
Sentenced for Animal Cruelty and Criminal Behaviour Breaches
At Staines Magistrates Court on May 21, Wanless pleaded guilty to:
- Two breaches of his Criminal Behaviour Order – causing alarm to the public and entering a banned area
- Causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal by feeding it to a dog
- Causing unnecessary suffering to a dog by encouraging it to attack the ferret
He was handed a 16-week jail sentence, suspended for two years. Wanless must also complete 180 hours of unpaid work over the next 12 months, pay a £115 victim surcharge and £85 in costs, and faces a two-year ban on owning or keeping any animals.
