A man who used his dogs to hunt and kill wild animals before leaving them suffering with untreated injuries has been jailed and banned from keeping animals for life.

A Doncaster man has been jailed after using his dogs to hunt and kill wildlife and failing to seek veterinary treatment for injuries they sustained.

Lewis Richard Wray, 38, of Runnymede Road, Intake, was sentenced to three years in prison at Sheffield Crown Court on Monday (Oct 12).

He was also disqualified from keeping all animals for life.

Wray had used his dogs to hunt wild animals before failing to obtain veterinary treatment for their injuries. He had also docked the tails of puppies.

An investigation was launched by the RSPCA after the animal welfare charity received intelligence from the Naturewatch Foundation concerning social media videos showing Wray's dogs hunting.

Working alongside South Yorkshire Police's Motorcycle and Rural Crime Team, RSPCA investigators executed a warrant at Wray's home in December 2024.

Wray had used his dogs to hunt wild animals before failing to obtain veterinary treatment for their injuries. He had also docked the tails of puppies. | SYP

placeholder image — Wray had used his dogs to hunt wild animals before failing to obtain veterinary treatment for their injuries. He had also docked the tails of puppies. | SYP

During the search, officers discovered four dogs: a lurcher named Ruby and three Patterdale terriers called Peanut, Pip and Sky.

All four animals had historical scarring caused by deep wounds which had been left untreated.

While officers were inside the property, Wray denied having a mobile phone or using social media.

However, when officers called his phone, it could be heard ringing upstairs and was immediately seized.

Evidence recovered from the device revealed that Wray had regularly been meeting and hunting with another man, Jake Dominik McLay, 30, of Lime Tree Avenue, Armthorpe.

In May 2025, police officers again supported RSPCA investigators in executing a warrant, this time at McLay's property.

Three dogs were discovered at the address: a lurcher named Reggie and two terriers called Rosie and Max.

All three animals were seized after investigators found they also had deep scarring caused by hunting animals.

Sergeant James Shirley, of South Yorkshire Police's Motorcycle and Rural Crime Team, said: “People using dogs to hunt and kill wildlife is illegal, cruel, and unacceptable.

“The fact that neither Wray or McLay sought treatment for their dogs when they must have been suffering in pain shows a distinct lack of care and empathy. Both would have known that in taking their dogs to a vets, the vet would have known how they obtained the injuries and raised the alarm.

“We are committed to working with partners to ensure anyone who purposefully harms animals or wildlife is put before the courts.”

Wray was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on Monday (Oct 12) to three years' imprisonment and banned from keeping animals for life.