A MAN who fed a live rabbit to an alligator has admitted breaching a ban on keeping pets.
Damien French was banned from keeping animals for 10 years for animal cruelty after he was found guilty of throwing the rabbit into the alligator enclosure at a zoo.
But when RSPCA inspectors visited French’s flat in Russell Road, Rhyl, last month they found two hamsters and two bearded dragons.
At Prestatyn magistrates’ court yesterday, French, 24, pleaded guilty to breaching the order and was fined £100. He was also ordered to pay costs totalling £100.
Prosecutor Tracey Willingham said that RSPCA inspectors visited the flat on November 23 and found the hamsters and bearded dragons in good condition.
When interviewed, French admitted that he was aware he was breaching the order but explained he had not told his partner, who owned some of the pets, about his conviction.
In 2006, French had grabbed the rabbit from the kids’ corner at Colwyn Bay Welsh Mountain Zoo and dropped it into the alligator pool, where it was immediately savaged by adult male Albert.
When a young girl walked into the alligator house and asked “Is that a rabbit?”, French laughed and one of his two friends replied: “It was. It was running round 10 minutes ago.”
For that offence he had been given a six-month jail term suspended for 12 months, and a 12-month supervision order, as well as the 10-year animal ban.
Yesterday, Andy Hutchinson, defending, said inspectors first visited the flat in May this year after reports animals were being neglected.
“But they found no signs of cruelty or neglect, and their visit in November was also following an allegation of cruelty, which proved unfounded.
He said French had bought the male hamster himself but the other animals were owned by his partner. They had all since been rehoused.
Mr Hutchinson told the court: “It was a high-profile case but, to be fair, he has turned his life around since then.”
Sgt Rob Taylor, North Wales Police wildlife and environment officer, said: “I welcome the fine from today’s court case.
“The 10-year ban on keeping animals is a serious ban. Failing to observe it flies in the face of justice. This defendant ignored that ban.”