Man who videotaped dogs fighting sent to jail

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Thu, 10 Dec 2009 5:46p.m.

Lincoln the dog

Lincoln the dog

By Rachel Morton

A Porirua man has become the first in the country to be jailed for organising a dog fight.

William Campbell kidnapped an elderly dog, set his pitbull on it and began videoing the brutal mismatch.

The judge described it as a "sickening" case.

The fight left 14-year-old family dog Lincoln with deep bite wounds, a large gash on his neck and permanently damaged hind legs.

Campbell wanted Lincoln to be a slower, easier target for his pitbull.

He snatched Lincoln from his Titahi Bay home in April and drove him 33km in the boot of a car to Shelly Bay, where he set his pitbull on him.

"He put his foot on Lincoln's back and on Lincoln's right leg in order to gain additional purchase when he tried to dislocate Lincoln's hind leg," says SPCA lawyer Simon Meikle.

Lincoln is back at home now but remains in pain, his owners heartbreakingly aware that putting him down may soon be the only option.

"He has his days where he collapses quite a bit," says owner Janet Cuthers. "You could walk him down for say, 3km, and he'll just collapse."

The judge described it as "sickening brutality of the worst kind towards an animal", and when Campbell tried to speak up, Judge Geoff Ellis didn't want to hear it.

There were seven charges from the SPCA of cruelty and dog fighting, and one from police of theft.

Judge Ellis said he couldn't understand why Campbell wasn't facing more serious charges, which would have led to a longer jail sentence. Instead he was sentenced to 10 months in prison - the only jail sentence ever handed down in this country for dog fighting.

"I do seriously hope that it will deter other people who may be involved in this sport at present, or anyone who may be thinking of becoming involved to seriously think again - because they will be caught and they will be dealt with harshly," says SPCA inspector Ben Lakomy.

Campbell also has to forfeit his dog, which also received injuries in the fight that were left untreated for four days.

He is never allowed to own an animal again, but Lincoln's owners are still concerned about his release from prison.

For now, Ms Cuthers and her husband are concentrating on the time they have left with their pet of almost 15 years.

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Comments

18 Apr 2011 03:53p.m.

BOB wrote:

Dog fighting is for cowards and scum. 10 months? seriously? I bet his pitbull-who was only trying to please his master- will probably get the death sentence. How fair is that!!! People like this are ruining the reputation of the American Pitbull terrier, which is a smart, loyal and friendly breed of dog. I'd like to see this guy thrown into a pit against an MMA figther where he has to fight to the death, and if he refuses to fight he'l be electrocuted. Cause thats what so many pitbulls have to go through. We'll see exactly how tough he is then. Rot in hell cause thats what you deserve.

21 Jan 2010 11:47a.m.

Gina wrote:

To all those that have left a comment be a voice for Lincoln and our animals by signing the petition to appeal to the government to put a tougher sentence in place. Visit the http://www.pawjustice.co.nz/ website print out the petition and get as many people as you can to sign and post your petition. You can also be a volunteer at the SPCA if you visit their website.
Be a voice for our animals, signing the petition and being a volunteer is the best way to help.
Thanks
Gina

21 Jan 2010 11:44a.m.

Gina wrote:

To all those that have left a comment be a voice for Lincoln and our animals by signing the petition to appeal to the government to put a tougher sentence in place. Visit the http://www.pawjustice.co.nz/ website print out the petition and get as many people as you can to sign and post your petition. You can also be a volunteer at the SPCA if you visit their website.
Be a voice for our animals, signing the petition and being a volunteer is the best way to help.
Thanks
Gina

11 Jan 2010 08:51p.m.

J Barker wrote:

This judge has in the words of my nine year old daughter showed more concern for an old dog than he has for us in the lifting of a protection order against a father she does not know. Judge Ellis was sarcastic and pompous and disregarded the report of a phsycholgist, the words of two police officers and medical professionals, also the immense stress experienced by my nine year old to decide the order was no longer needed,. Judge Ellis added to the abuse we suffered and it was called'Justice. Good one Judgeit doesn't effet you but our lives are controlled by your decision.

15 Dec 2009 07:12a.m.

Brent wrote:

this tosser should have got 10 years not 10 months what sort of person would do such a thing this sort of behavoer sickens me i hope the in mates in prison will dish out some sort of puninsment of there own if the dog was a person he would have got longer let the puninsment fit the crime,

14 Dec 2009 04:22p.m.

Christina Mitchell wrote:

Any type of cruelty inflicted on animals be a human being makes me sick. This case is horrendous. What a joke that he only got 10mths . The Judge had the power to give him a longer sentence, why the hell didn't he. The biggest concern is that Campbell has shown no remorse for what he has done this alone indicates how evil and cold blooded this person really is .The question that needs to be ask is not if but what next, will Campbell do.God help any animal or human being he comes in contact with in the future.

12 Dec 2009 01:03p.m.

MAT KISSELL wrote:

this was not a punishment hold him down and put the most rabid pitbull on him then dilocate his hip to make it even more fair, its almost lynching time people the courts have failed again this guy aint well lock him up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

11 Dec 2009 04:46p.m.

Latchie wrote:

That is such a sad story! Poor Lincoln does not get to live the rest of his life because of some guy trying to get this thrills from animal cruelty..this guy really does have a screw loose to even enjoy that kind of behavour.
10 months - is that what we cann justice? it should have been 10years!
NZ seems to discriminate Pitbulls but its more the people that should be discriminated against people like William, i have a pitbull cross and she would never ever hurt any person or any dog due to her being bought up and trained correctly...you should have to have a licence to have a dog...William deserves to stay behind bars - people like that should not be allowed to walk our streets, i hope he gets what he deserves when hes playing with the big boys inside.

11 Dec 2009 04:43p.m.

Amohau wrote:

10 MONTHS!!! he will only do 1/2 of that!!! Is this what we call a good and fair NZ system.I can think of alot of things i could do to just him and i wouldnt need a 14yr old family dog. How tough does he really think he is? 14yr old dog!!! that is just sad. It is annoying that people discriminate against PitBulls as it is all the owners!!! I have one and he is a big softy n just sits on his bum all day jus bcoz he is a pitbull doesnt mean he is gonna get out and fight!! its the OWNERS NOT THE DOG!!

11 Dec 2009 03:55p.m.

Sofia wrote:

so where's his pitbull, set it on him, break his legs and leave him to die the useless heartless piece of crap. people who do this don't have a heart and dont deserve a life, i hope he gets whats coming in jail cus there's definately some animal lovers in there. You sick sick B***ard. go die