Clarke Pleads Guilty: Animal Suffering Charge
[Updated with photos of the dog] In Magistrates Court this morning [Aug 22] former Prison Officer’s Association president Craig Clarke pleaded guilty to a charge that he had willfully caused unnecessary suffering to an animal – a 13-year-old dog.
Police and SPCA evidence was that responding to calls from neighbours, they had attended Mr Clarke’s North Shore Pembroke residence and had found the dog lying down and in a severely emaciated state with protruding bones, fleas and other issues. The Court heard that the dog was starving, and was taken away to the SPCA shelter.
After three weeks in the vet’s care the dog, named Sapphire, had gained some weight but was found to be affected by several tumours and was put down. Mr Clarke told the Magistrate that the dog was old, he believed it was dying, and that he had chosen to “let the dog die a natural death.”
The Magistrate then ordered a Conditional Discharge but with the proviso that Mr Clarke must not keep a dog for the next twelve months. During the Court appearance, Mr Clarke also said he was no longer a Prison Officer, no longer President of the Prison Officer’s Association, and he hopes the press get that right.
Update 5.52pm: We have obtained photos of the dog from the SPCA . Due to the sensitivities involved, we have made them a link rather than place the actual photos on the page so viewers can decide whether or not to look at them. To view the photos click here, here, here, here and here.
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Category: All, Court Reports, Crime, News
This Island is surely going to heck in a handbasket for sure!!
“hell in a handbasket”?
I know the saying. I edited it for the younger readers!
I eat dog meat and grind their bones into a powder to make man have strong loins. Can i pick up remains?
If your dog doesn’t have a tag on it I might eat it. Watch out.
I also accept pigs parquets cats hamsters crocodiles (but not alligators) and the elderly but mostly for their fine linens and frankincense and for the church goers, their pleasantly humorous hats that god instructed them to wear.
Umm yo…
Why the hell would you put something like this up?! That is absolutely DISGUSTING!! You are one sick person! & don’t come back talking about it’s a joke, IT’S NOT FUNNY FOOL!!
Now please excuse me while I go THROW UP..
Very sad.
I just hope that when Mr Clarke’s time comes and he is sick and dying and wants to die a “natural death” that his children have more compassion and at least make sure that he has food !
I don’t. I hope he gets treated the same way as his dog did.
I’m with Family Man. Mr Clark I sure hope I’m not around when u get old because u can be assured u r going to end up on da lawn .
I agree FM. Let his a!@ die a slow, rotting diseased death for treating an animal so cruel. F.A.MF.S HEAD!!!
Conditional discharge!! Ridiculous. Anybody who treats an animal in that manner should see jail time. Absolutely disgusted.
when he gets ill perhaps he should also ‘die a natural death’
And he has the nerve to get “cocky” (no pun intended) LOL!
Tricks are for kids? Pity case people have the nerve to comment LMAOOO!!!!
Craig Clark, should never be allowed to EVER own any animals !!!!how would he like to die a natural death as he calls it…by starving and no care what so ever ? how many poor animals are suffering out there ? and to think in another year or so he will be allowed to do the same thing !!!!
WTH….. are you serious, what is so natural about starving a dog. I agree with Marie VERY SAD!!!!!
Please note the ‘e’ in Clarke, Craig CLARKE, not Craig Clark.
Just proves one thing to me … Our prisoners are in excellent hands . We definitely need more P.O.’s just like him . We need to matchup some of our cold bloodied killers with this dude for maximum bang for our buck . Maybe we can’t get the death sentence, but, Ol’Clarkie has the know how to bring them right to death’s door .
What an absolute idiot!! He should have received a hefty fine!!!!!! He should have also been made to assist with cleaning up after the animals at the SPCA for a year! May he never be able to own another pet, ever!!!!!
Spend less time on FB and more time learning how to be a decent human being Craig…YOUR SELFISH IDIOT!!!
This bye has gone off it, for sure!!!
should make him suffer
You all truly are fairweather friends. A few months ago when he was leading the charge against the Government and marching to the Cabinet Office he was “yah boy”. Now you’ve ditched him just like you do all the others who outlive your usefulness. Lesson for you Craig. I don’t like what you did to this dog either but that’s no reason to turn on you in BlogLand. I’ll sort you out on the street. That’s what friends do.
He gets these opinions based on the things he does in life. He does something good, he gets good comments. He does the things described in this story, people are disgusted. It isn’t that hard to follow. It’s a much better way of doing things than the ‘PLP All The Way’ dopes who support everything whether it’s right or wrong.
AMEN!
@Hmmmmm: are you fcuking kidding me? Had the public known that he was a dog-abusing monster, they wouldn’t have supported him! It’s not a matter of ‘ditching him’! We have the right to criticize him for his horrendous treatment of this poor animal. Furthermore, we hold people like him to a higher standard than the average person because we’d assume a person in his position would be responsible. Clearly he is not, which is why people are posting what they are. What if this was a person-do you think we should keep quiet about that, too?
That poor dog must have been so lonely and miserable. If the dog was seriously ill, Mr. Clarke should have done the HUMANE thing and put him down. Why let him linger there and suffer? This is just, so, so cruel. You’re probably a friend of his so you feel you have to support him so go ahead-just don’t expect us to.
Well said…. Thank u
People are so disrepsctful. Animals have feeling too. What is pathetic is that tthe maximum sentence for animal abuse is 6 months and a fine. I think the USA have it right. Years!
Z I totally agree. The penalties are not harsh enough look you’re reading what I’m saying here’s a U turn you are smelly.
Dont think because pleads guilty that they ahave done wrong, some jsut don’t want to fight as we know how the police like to make up their own versions of things. The dog was fed, the dog was not eating so he had a right to get the dog to the vet, lesson learned.
Serz CRAIG….!!! That’s what you deserve – you pompous A-hole!!!
A fine product of THE BERKELEY INSTITUTE….. What a frekkin laugh…!
@2debrimm….sorry boo won’t sit back and let you talk bad about my Alma Mater, the Berkeley Institute!! His schooling had nothing to do with his actions!! Please make statements that at least make sense and RESPICE FINEM (if you are not sure what it means…look it up, it will give you something constructive to do)
Ya’ll dont know its a recession???!!! the man just lost his job and dog food is expensive…. it was either him or the dog….
plus he got a big mouth so you know filling it aint gonna be easy….
your just n idot
I agree with “sticky..” if you cant handle taking care of YOUR responsibility, you take it to the spca.. its common sense. I cant stand people who leave their dog or any animal for that matter to starve, they cant speak for themselves.. these people should be locked up. What a cruel cruel man.
If he can’t afford to love the dog and give him what he needs than give it to someone who can and who can love it….full stop.
wtf? would u starve ur child or u if it came down to it. taking care of animal is like taking care of a child. pet food is $1-3 a can some are cheaper. theres no f*ckin excuse. i despise animal abusers, all deserve to be treated equally including animals. we are one world. start acting like!
Maybe if yah all shut up and help/ed this may have not occured.
He has neighbors right?
Oh thats right….their all people of color.
Think abouit it.
Are we sure his neighbours were all people of colour? Do you assume that only people of colour live on North Shore? Whats sad is that we have an outpour of concern for an old dog, who like many people when they get older refuse to eat simply because they no longer want to live, and yet there are many Bermudians young and old who live in utterly dispicable conditions who want to live, but not a peep from our caring society. Mr. Clarke also chose to speak up which is his right and yet some will glory in his demise and crucify him for allowing an old dog to die peacefully..We don’t know why he was fired but we all know more heads should roll up in that heirarcy. And by the way the SPCA don’t always have the opportunity to collect animals and save them from their state of existence..Try calling them to collect our feral cats, you can deposit them but there is no pick up service..
Die peacefully? Ever been bitten by a flea? Ever been covered in them? Is there a spot on your body you can’t reach? The spca could have put it down if he didn’t have the money, a trash bag, a car exhaust and some loving words would have put it painlessly to sleep and I would have a lot more respect for that. Do you think emotions are solely for humans? Animals don’t speak but they most certainly feel, they feel our emotions and will be there for you most times regardless of how they are treated. My dog is my best friend, never lies to me, always there for me, and would lay his life down to protect my family, But yet some people feel as if their lives are more valuable. His story may very well be true but that leaves no reason for the dog to suffer with fleas until it dies. I say a dog crate, bread and water RATIONS, and a daily box of fleas dumped in would be a sufficient punishment. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This was a life, no matter the species.
i agree Terry, years ago your neighbor would have said something, now days you don’t even know your neighbours last name. the new Bermuda.
@ Terry, Get off the racial stuff!! Seriously…
and SHUT UP!!
F….yoo.
it has nothing to do with race – its about caring for those who can’t care for themselves
The neighbor did report it
@Terry: so what is THAT supposed to mean? I seriously don’t know where you’re going with this. Are you saying that ‘people of colour’ condone animal cruelty? If so, that is NOT the case. I’m black and I would never be that cruel to a defenceless pet. I love animals and my cat lives like a king. If I saw that I would have reported it and I have reported someone for that before.
Furthermore, unless you know where he lives, how do you even know if his neighbours can see in his yard or not??? They could have been totally unaware of what was happening.
And then once again you have no clue as to what you type.
Where did I say anything like that.
Doomed the lot of us.
@Terry… Shut up idiot ….
Maybe it’s cause you’re a veteran poster but I am envious of Bernew’s policy of allowing you to post moderately racist verbal doo doo while my humorous quips and trolls go unseen. We will meet on the field of battle one day Terry ONE DAAAAAAYYYYY.
bernews, you should post the headline picture in the stories as well, especially with this story, so we can see the face of this piece of scum
Well, now that he’s no longer a prison officer, I guess he’ll be looking for a job. Maybe nurse’s aid, caring for the elderly perhaps ….
OMG I can’t believe THIS topic has gone to race! Pet parents have an obligation to feed and shelter their pets. When he lost his job and could no longer support a pet than his brain should have told him to take the dog to the SPCA (if that was the case). He admitted to willfully cause suffering to an animal. He should have had to pay a hefty fine and never be allowed to own a pet again. Case closed!
Three good things come out of this…that poor dog isn’t suffering anymore…neither is the POA membership….Dept of Corrections trims off some dead weight.
You should be ashamed of your self you s.o.b.
Good work Dog Wardens
Hi Harry P, if you read the story it was the SPCA that undertook the investigation but either way if you look at the photos it was not a prosecution that could have been avoided.
This is clearly a case where an animal was left to suffer needlessly.
Sticky , you clearly didn’t read the article . When the dog was offered food it was starving and put on weight. The vet and SPCA proved that the only reason the dog was emaciated was that it was being starved of food.
Protecting vulnerable children and adults as well as animals need not be mutually exclusive. We can and should do both.
It was reported the dog had several tumours and was put to sleep because of that. So even though the dog did take food when taken to the vet it was ill with the tumours.
how did i not read the article, how long was the dog not eating, this would clearly show that the dog was not like this for five or six months or more, so something happened with the dog over the last few months,the dog put on weight on attention from the vet which shows something was wrong then put down because more than likely it had cancer something common in older rotties.
Very sad.
He’s lucky he lives in Bermuda where the judicial system seems to have little appetite to protect those that have no voice. This is just another glaring example of what the SPCA and other animal advocates are up against within the legal system. Right minded people can spend thousands bringing these types of abuse cases to court, but when a judge choses to slap someone on the wrist (or not) and let them walk away so that they can go do it all again, there is something desperately wrong with the system.
Was he not feeding the dog or was the dog dropping weight because it was sick (like humans do). Regardless he should have taken it to the vet but if he was feeding it although I don’t condone him not taking it the vet, I understand it. Yeah, go ahead attack what I said because Bermudians take pride in judging others, living for these types of boards, living for something to complain about or someone to criticize. Mr. Clarke forgive yourself and move on with life and do better!
There should have been at least a hefty fine.
That was a slow sad death from someone who Sapphire loved. He could at least have given him away. Die naturally? Like that? If he has peace of mind thinking thats what was best for his own dog….. God help him please
This hurts my heart and makes me soooo mad inside!! You sick mofo!!! Die a natural death?? In your view, Mr. Clarke, that means to just lay there and starve to death?? I hope when your time comes, you are left to die this “natural death” you speak of…no love, no food, no water, NOTHING!! Maybe a few peeks in from your family to see how your death is progressing! In my opinion, you killed that dog and should have served time!
I’m not usually this callous towards human beings, but I really do hope you suffer during your final days on earth…
@Terry. FYI- caucasians live on North Shore Rd. They have lived there for years! You would be surprised? I can’t believe this ignorance!
put him on a leash and tie it to a bumper…. the owner that is….
Bermuda is such a sad place, all this name calling and cyber bashing, if you all cared liked you do u would go to vlarke on north shore and speak your peace, but it shows big balls with all the bs talk on here. His dog would not eat and it lost weight how do any of you know he starved his dog or just beacusen the bernews says so its the truth. As for why he is no longer employed by the prisons, people resign everyday end of story. Terry your right only one white family in that part of north shore.
just wondering did Craig live alone….. if not charge the whole family with neglecting the poor dog…evil evil evil!
@ Shining Example – I fully agree the Magistrate’s decision was manifestly inadequate. ‘Sapphire’ was let down not only by Mr Clarke, but also by this Magistrate…. much has been said about Mr Clarke, but scorn must also be heaped on the Magistrate whose lack of action in this matter was almost as bad as Mr Clarke’s. BERNEWS – apologies if I missed it – but the above article does not mention who the Magistrate was…. WHY NOT?????
Bermuda has never jailed a person for cruelty for animal convictions, a fine or conditional discharge have been the sentences, so the magistrate got it right. Sorry some of you feel so differnt about this but sentence is the sentence. He pleaded guilty and the dog had tumors which lead the SPCA to put it down.
hey Lyn Harper you don’t live in that area of North shore, so stop it Terry is right on that.
Bernews, why did not print what his daughter said in court, as one daughter spoke on behalf of her sisters regards to the her father and her dog.
No animal or human deserves such irresponsible treatment.
My question is, did he encourage his now former colleagues to march onto the Cabinet grounds to highlight himself(with the prior knowledge that his service as a PO was coming to an end). I will wait for the outcome of this 2nd case. As you may or may not have noticed, he wasn’t a white shirt PO. Unfortunately life teaches us that there are people that will motivate others to do certain things because of a personal/hidden agenda that is never disclosed. Unfortunately Unions(for all the good they do) have sometimes been abused for individuals personal agendas. Members need to step back sometime and access situations for themselves, and stop letting someone else think for you.
As far as the dog is concerned, if he was a humane individual he could have called the dog Warden or the SPCA to have the dog expire in decency and dignity.
Let’s not get caught up into whether white people live on north shore,Pembroke or not,,,that is irrevalent to this case. We are so quick to want to turn everything into a black & white issue or a UBP,PLP or an OBA issue.
I understand he is also an officer of a sports club in Bermuda, thank God they don’t have a mascot!
Tidbit u must be a fool, as the march took place long before the issue with the dog issue, so what the hidden agenda. Maybe since he was in the face of the Civil Service, maybe this was done to silence him so the corrections review would go away. So Tidbit what does life teach us enlighten us