Man banned from keeping dogs after 22 sheep were killed

In May 2024, Ross Jan Stone was issued a Community Protection Notice after his dogs were collected on multiple occasions by Cornwall Council’s stray dog service. 

Despite the order, he continued to allow his dogs to stray and cause a nuisance. In December 2024 the man was found guilty of five charges of breaching the Community Protection Notice and was ordered to pay £13,000 in fines and costs. 

At the end of March, Cornwall Council applied to Bodmin Magistrates’ Court for a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) to prevent Stone from keeping dogs. 

The magistrates heard about the ongoing harassment, alarm or distress caused to the community due to the dogs being allowed to roam free.  

The council presented evidence that Stone’s dogs had killed multiple sheep. During an attack which involved three of Stone’s dogs, 22 sheep were killed and six others had to be put down due to their injuries. Two of the three dogs involved in the attack were also put down. The third dog was not found. 

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Neglect and unnecessary suffering

The court also heard allegations made on social media that the man’s dogs were responsible for killing cats and pet rabbits. 

In July 2023, Stone was prosecuted by the RSPCA and convicted of neglect and causing unnecessary suffering to another dog belonging to him, the magistrates were told. 

Stone, who did not attend the hearing, was given a Criminal Behaviour Order which bans him from keeping or owning dogs for 10 years. He has 21 days to rehome his dogs or pass them over to the council. 

Cornwall Council explained that it is against the law to let a dog be dangerously out of control anywhere, including at home or in public. 

It is also a legal requirement for all dogs to wear an ID collar and a microchip linked to the current owner’s contact information.

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