A shocking case at the heart of Oxford has left many in disbelief after Professor Anders Kock and his partner Xiaoyu Tian were convicted for cruelty to their pet rabbit, Beano.
The couple stood trial at Oxford Magistrates’ Court after leaving the animal in such a deteriorated state that it was found riddled with maggots and near death.
The Dire Condition of Beano
RSPCA inspectors described Beano’s condition as “horrific.”
When Inspector Prisca Giddens visited the couple’s terraced home last August, she found the seven-year-old rabbit unresponsive in a small outdoor kennel.
Large maggots had eaten away at his skin, and his back legs were soaked in urine and faeces.
Beano’s body showed clear signs of suffering over several days.
“The rabbit had no skin over a huge area, and there were hundreds of maggots crawling through his flesh,” Inspector Giddens told the court.
“His genitals appeared to have been eaten by the maggots. It was clear he had suffered unnecessarily for days.”
Ignoring Veterinary Advice
The court heard that Beano had been seen by a vet earlier that day, who advised that the kindest option would be euthanasia.
Despite this, Tian refused to follow the guidance, hoping the rabbit might survive.
Inspector Giddens said the defendants physically prevented her from handling the animal during her visit.
Tragically, Beano died during the inspection.
A veterinary expert later confirmed that the rabbit’s suffering could have been minimized if the owners had sought treatment a week earlier.
By ignoring the vet’s advice, Beano endured avoidable pain and distress.
Legal Outcome and Sentencing
Both defendants were convicted under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 for failing to provide appropriate care and failing to act on veterinary advice.
Professor Kock, a fellow of St Hilda’s College and an economics lecturer, received a £2,000 fine, while Tian, a civil servant, was fined £1,000.
Both were also ordered to pay court costs and victim surcharges.
The magistrates did not impose any bans on future animal ownership, a decision that has sparked discussions among animal welfare advocates.
Reaction From Authorities
Inspector Giddens spoke of the emotional difficulty in confronting cases like this: “The defendants ignored expert advice when the kindest option would have been euthanasia.
Pet owners need to act on veterinary guidance to prevent unnecessary suffering.”
She added that while making the decision to euthanize a beloved pet is incredibly hard, delaying that decision can lead to serious pain for the animal.
Background and Context
Beano was a white rabbit who lived with the couple near Oxford’s historic university buildings.
Kock, originally from Denmark, was appointed to his professorship in 2022, while Tian works as a civil servant.
Neither had previous convictions or RSPCA investigations, which was noted during the trial as part of mitigation.
What Happens Next
With the sentencing concluded, attention now turns to raising awareness of proper animal care and encouraging pet owners to follow veterinary guidance without delay.
Cases like Beano’s highlight the importance of timely decisions when an animal’s quality of life is in jeopardy.
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