Man banned from having pets found with lizard (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Great Horton man's third breach of 1999 order

10:35am Tuesday 2nd June 2009 in News By Marc Meneaud

A man who was banned for life from keeping animals after letting his dog starve to death was discovered with a pet exotic lizard at his Bradford home.

John Albert Greatbatch, of Watmough Street, Great Horton, admitted keeping a Bearded Dragon lizard while being disqualified from keeping pets.

He admitted the charge at a prosecution brought by the RSPCA at Bradford Magistrates Court yesterday.

It was the third time in ten years Greatbatch has breached the lifetime ban on keeping animals, after he let his dog starve to death in 1999, the court heard.

Greatbatch, who said he had forgotten his age but said he thought he was 45, appeared in the dock alongside his partner Sharon Wilson, 42, who is also banned from keeping animals.

She pleaded not guilty to the offence and a trial will be held next month.

Nigel Monaghan, a solicitor representing the RSPCA, said: “The animal in question is a Bearded Dragon lizard which has been taken away and re-homed.

“The defendants were disqualified for life back in 1999 from having custody of any animal. I believe this was as a result of a dog that starved to death. It was a serious matter and both the defendants received a disqualification.

“In Mr Greatbatch’s case, this is the third breach of that order. He pleaded guilty in September 2000 and pleaded guilty again in March 2007.

“At that time, it was pointed out in no uncertain terms that he was not to keep animals and he said he understood that.”

Mr Monaghan added: “This is a very serious case because people cannot continue disobeying court orders.”

He said the Bearded Dragon had not been suffering any injuries when it was discovered by RSPCA inspectors.

The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report into Greenbatch’s background.

He will sentenced at Bradford Magistrates on June 30. Magistrates granted him unconditional bail.

Wilson faces trial at the same court on July 7. She was also granted unconditional bail until her next court hearing.