Cumbrian Man Given Lifetime Animal Ban After Dead Pets Found At Home
A Cumbrian man has received a lifetime ban from keeping animals after police found dead pets at his home.
Alan Lagar, 53, of Silloth, was given a lifetime disqualification order at Workington Magistrates’ Court after concerns about the welfare of animals at his property led police to investigate. The order prevents him from owning or keeping animals and also prohibits him from taking part in their care. The court decision followed the discovery of conditions inside and around the property that raised serious concerns about animal welfare.
Cumbria Police visited Lagar’s home in April after receiving reports raising concerns about the animals. When officers arrived at the property, they found conditions that police described as particularly poor, with much of the home reportedly covered in faeces and signs of animal decay. The discovery prompted officers to investigate further and establish the extent of the welfare concerns at the address.
Officers also found signs that animals had died in and around the property. Among the discoveries were remains believed to have belonged to rabbits outside the house. Police said the presence of dead animals, together with the condition of the property, highlighted the seriousness of the concerns that had been reported before officers attended the address.
Lagar was located nearby and arrested after officers attended the property. The police investigation subsequently resulted in the case being brought before Workington Magistrates’ Court, where the court considered the circumstances surrounding the animals and the conditions in which they had been kept. The proceedings ultimately resulted in a lifetime disqualification order being imposed against Lagar.
The lifetime order places extensive restrictions on Lagar’s involvement with animals. He is prohibited from owning animals or keeping them, while the order also prevents him from participating in the keeping of animals in any capacity. The restrictions are intended to prevent him from having responsibility for animals or becoming involved in arrangements through which animals could come under his control.
The court also prohibited Lagar from being party to any arrangement that would allow him to control or influence how animals are kept. This means the order goes beyond simply preventing direct ownership and extends to circumstances where he could otherwise exercise influence over the care or management of animals belonging to someone else.
The case followed concerns raised by Kenzie’s K9 Animal Search and Rescue, which police said reported its concerns promptly. Officers thanked the organisation for bringing the situation to their attention, saying its report helped ensure that surviving animals could be brought to safety. The involvement of the animal search and rescue organisation was therefore an important part of the response to the welfare concerns.
Police have used the case to encourage members of the public to report concerns when they believe an animal may be at risk. The force said people who are worried about an animal’s welfare should contact the appropriate authorities so that concerns can be assessed and action can be taken where necessary to protect animals from harm.
Animal welfare disqualification orders are available to courts under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Such orders can prevent convicted offenders from owning or keeping animals and can also restrict involvement in their care or arrangements concerning their welfare. The legislation allows courts to impose restrictions for periods considered appropriate, including lifetime bans in suitable cases.
The lifetime nature of the order in Lagar’s case means the restrictions will continue indefinitely. The order covers both direct ownership and broader involvement in animal keeping, reflecting the court’s decision to prevent him from having future responsibility or influence over the welfare of animals.
The case also highlights the role of reports from members of the public and animal welfare organisations in identifying potential neglect. Police said the concerns reported about Lagar’s property resulted in officers attending the address, where they discovered the conditions and signs of animal deaths that led to further action.
The discovery of surviving animals also meant that the police response was not limited to investigating what had already happened. According to police, the report from Kenzie’s K9 Animal Search and Rescue helped bring the surviving animals to safety, ensuring that immediate welfare concerns could be addressed while the investigation proceeded.
The court’s decision now prevents Lagar from becoming responsible for animals again. The restrictions cover ownership, keeping, participation in animal care and arrangements that could give him control or influence over how animals are kept, making the disqualification comprehensive in its scope.
Police have reiterated that members of the public should not ignore concerns about animals that appear neglected, abandoned or at risk. Reporting concerns to the appropriate authorities can allow officers or animal welfare organisations to assess the circumstances and, where necessary, take steps to safeguard animals from further harm.
The case concludes with the lifetime disqualification order imposed at Workington Magistrates’ Court, following the police discovery of dead animals and severe welfare concerns at the Silloth property. The surviving animals were brought to safety after concerns were reported, while Lagar is now legally prohibited from owning, keeping or influencing the care of animals for the rest of his life.
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