Naturewatch investigation: Dog hunter jailed after injured animals were left scarred and one had wound stapled at home

A man who used dogs to hunt and kill foxes and badgers has been jailed for three years after investigators uncovered videos of wildlife attacks and evidence of injured dogs being denied veterinary care.

Lewis Richard Wray, 38, was also banned from keeping animals for life after a joint investigation by the RSPCA and South Yorkshire Police.

His friend Jake Dominik McLay, 30, received a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and was ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work. He was banned from keeping animals for 12 years.

One dog, a lurcher called Reggie, suffered a significant wound beneath his chin which was stapled at home instead of being treated by a vet.

Other dogs were found with deep scars around their faces, muzzles and ears.

The investigation began after Naturewatch Foundation passed intelligence from social media profiles and posts to the RSPCA.

Officers from the charity’s Special Operations Unit joined police executing a warrant at Wray’s address in Runnymede Road, Intake, Doncaster, on 20 December 2024.

They found a wire-haired lurcher called Ruby and three Patterdale terriers, Peanut, Pip and Sky.

RSPCA Inspector Claire Mitchell said in her witness statement: “I noticed that Pip and Peanut had old healed scarring under their chins.”

A veterinary examination found Peanut had historical scarring around her face and ears, with deep scars around her nose. Pip had multiple scars around her muzzle and ears, very deep scars beneath her chin and patches of missing fur.

Sky had a scar beside her eye and scars on her nose. All three terriers had docked tails.

Wray initially denied using social media and claimed he did not have a phone. But when police rang his number, officers heard it ringing upstairs and seized the device.

Analysis uncovered videos showing his dogs “hunting, fighting and killing wildlife including foxes and badgers”, Inspector Mitchell said.

The dogs were subsequently removed and placed in RSPCA care.

Messages recovered from the phone prompted a further operation, with warrants executed at two Doncaster addresses on 13 May 2025.

Inspector Mitchell said: “It was obvious from this chat that the two knew each other very well and were regularly going out hunting wild mammals with dogs. Videos, audio messages and chats were exchanged between the two.”

Three more dogs, Reggie and terriers Rosie and Max, were taken into the charity’s care.

A vet found multiple healed scars on Reggie’s face, muzzle, forehead, legs, chest and hocks. Messages between Wray and McLay revealed the injury beneath his chin had been stapled at home.

Wray, previously of Runnymede Road, faced offences involving unnecessary suffering, illegal tail docking, failing to meet his dogs’ welfare needs and the persecution of badgers.

McLay, of Lime Tree Avenue, Armthorpe, faced offences involving badgers and failing to obtain veterinary treatment for injured dogs.

Both men were sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on 12 October.

Sergeant James Shirley, of South Yorkshire Police’s Motorcycle and Rural Crime team, said: “People using dogs to hunt and kill wildlife is illegal, cruel and unacceptable.”

He added: “We are committed to working with partners to ensure anyone who purposefully harms animals or wildlife is put before the courts.”

Jim Clark, wildlife crime campaign manager at Naturewatch Foundation, said the case highlighted how dogs used to persecute wildlife could themselves become victims.

He said: “The conclusion of this case is a stark reminder that organisations like Naturewatch Foundation and the RSPCA will strive to protect animals that have been involved in the persecution of wildlife and have become victims themselves.

“With the banning orders in place, we hope the offenders refrain from using animals to harm once and for all.”