There are now increasing reasons why UK police forces are using lie detector tests. The main one is for monitoring paedophiles to ensure they have not broken their conditions of parole. Earlier in the year this type of monitoring was extended to domestic abusers released from prison on licence. Our Hampshire Polygraph Examiner believes it should be extended further to animal abusers.
Where’s the justice?
Our legal system when it comes to these horrendous crimes isn’t much of a deterrent. Most cases that make it to court result in bans being issued on people keeping animals for a set period of time and a fine, but how is this monitored? Like paedophiles, they should be asked to take lie detector tests periodically to ensure they are complying with the bans. In cases of animal abuse usually the only witness is the animal being cruelly treated. The RSPCA have a difficult time prosecuting many of these cases. One case, in particular, drew the attention of our Hampshire Polygraph Examiner. A lie detector test could have provided real justice for a lovely and good-natured dog, Jet.
A disgruntled Hampshire lover shot an air rifle at a dog’s head four times. Simon Hancock dumped the 15-month-old injured terrier in a wooded area. Jet was left in agony but still alive in Hedge End, Hampshire. Simon had dumped Jet near to his home in some bushes, where the dog suffered all alone for five days before he was finally found by a passer-by. Jet was in such a state that the pellet holes were infested by thousands of fly larva and maggots.
In the nick of time
The kind member of the public rushed the dying dog to the vet where his microchip identified his owner as Simon Hancock’s ex-partner. Following the discovery and the horrendous state of poor Jet, the RSPCA initiated an investigation by the RSPCA. The investigation resulted in an air rifle being discovered in Hancock’s home. Forensics examined the rifle and it was confirmed that Jet had been shot by the weapon. The 36-year-old later denied shooting the dog and claimed the rifle had been left on his doorstep the very morning the police turned up with a search warrant. Hancock explained a friend, known only as Paul, was given Jet after his former partner’s daughter had been bitten. Hancock couldn’t provide a surname and “Paul” has never been traced. At this stage a lie detector test would have speeded up the investigation.
Justice for Jet
The trial took place at the magistrate’s court in May where Simon Hancock was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to Jet. A statement read out by RSPCA inspector Graham Hammond was heart rending – “You cannot begin to imagine the suffering this dog went through during the five days he was left alone and injured. Jet was treated in a shockingly brutal manner, being shot in the head four times, then dumped while still alive but horrendously injured. He was very touch-and-go at times and he lost hearing in one ear because an ear canal had to be removed. His vision has also been affected. More than £5,000 was spent on veterinary care. Thankfully he has survived and has made a very good recovery. He’s such a happy, friendly dog who loves everyone he meets. It’s amazing to see him thriving in his new home.”
Hancock was ordered to carry out 200 hours of community service and received a fine of £1600 for court and RSPCA costs. He has been banned from keeping any kind of animal for 10 years.
Behavioural monitoring
Simon Hancock was found guilty of this crime and in the eyes of the law justice has been served. But as our Hampshire Polygraph Examiner points out, without a lie detector test to monitor his movements and intentions, we’ll never know if he manages to obtain another pet. Lie detector test monitoring would confirm if he had another animal in his care and help to stop any further animals suffering. It’s unknown why he carried out this dreadful crime and therefore no one knows if he’ll do it again.
Invitation from Hampshire Polygraph Examiner
We invite the RSPCA and Hampshire police to contact us to see how lie detector tests for monitoring animal abusers can be implemented into their procedures.
