Brutal dog fighter jailed after League and police investigation
Posted 3rd June 2024
A prolific dog fighter has been sentenced to jail today for a string of brutal animal welfare offences.
National animal welfare charity the League Against Cruel Sports uncovered the activities of Billy Leadley, also known as GSK or Green Street Kennels, of Bambers Green, Takeley, Essex, and his wife Amy Louise Leadley of the same address.
The charity’s intelligence team worked alongside Essex Police and, in the process of its investigations, realised the Leadleys were part of a larger dog fighting ring.
Billy Leadley was jailed for four years for 11 offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 including keeping a premises for use in fighting, taking part in a fight by refereeing, and keeping and/or training a dog for use in a dog fight.
Amy Leadley was given a community order including 200 hours unpaid work and a rehabilitation programme for five offences, under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, including keeping a premises for use in dog fighting.
Emma Judd, head of campaigns at the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “Most people in this country would be horrified that such a cruel sport could be taking place in their neighbourhoods, and we urge anyone who is even slightly suspicious of similar activities happening where they live to get in touch with us. We promise we will investigate and we will work with the authorities to bring people to justice.
“We welcome the courts using the new sentencing powers which reflect the severity of the offences, and which the League was instrumental in lobbying government for.”
The League lobbied to increase the maximum sentencing for serious animal cruelty offences from just six months to five years, which culminated in the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021 being introduced.
Officers seized 16 dogs from the address in Bambers Green, including a large number of bull breed animals thought to have been used for fighting. Many had been kept in poor conditions in a garage, while two smaller dogs who were removed on welfare grounds from the house.
Two other people involved in dog fighting were also sentenced:
Phillip Harris Ali, known as Dr Death, of Manford Way, Chigwell, Essex was sentenced for five years for 10 offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Stephen Albert Brown, of Burrow Road, Chigwell, Essex was sentenced for two years and six months for five offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
All four were disqualified from keeping dogs for ten years.
Dog fighting was banned nearly 200 years ago but the League’s intelligence team still receives reports through its Animal Crimewatch Service.
Emma added: “Dog fighting is a brutal and vicious blood sport which has been outlawed for centuries but is sadly still taking place.
“The League’s intelligence team played a vital role exposing this dog fighting ring, and it’s thanks to their tenacity that the criminals behind it have been punished.
“We’d also like to thank Essex Police and the RSPCA for their crucial work on this case.”
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Notes to editors
For more information or interview requests please contact the League Against Cruel Sports Press Office on 01483 524250 or email pressoffice@league.org.uk
The League Against Cruel Sports is Britain's leading charity that works to stop animals being persecuted, abused and killed for sport. The League was instrumental in helping bring about the landmark Hunting Act 2004, the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021, the strengthened fox hunting laws of the Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Act 2023 and a ban on the use of snares created by the Agriculture (Wales) Act 2023.
