Assistant Coroner issues verdict on death of Blackpool animal lover, Bailey Lister, 22, who was trolled online

An inquest into the death of a 22-year-old Fylde coast animal lover has concluded at Blackpool Town Hall.

Kind-hearted animal rescuer Bailey Joe Lister, who was known fondly as the Dr Doolittle of animals, took his own life in May after a relentless campaign of online bullying.

Assistant Coroner Louisa Rae called him a “gentleman” who lived with his housemate.

She said he had a recent history of mental health issues and had experienced deteriorating mental health in the months prior to his death.

On 7 May 2026, he was sadly found hanged by his housemate at the home they shared.

The assistant coroner recorded a verdict of suicide.

Stamp out online hate

Bailey was tragically found dead after suffering an online campaign of 'abuse' and 'vitriol' which friends claim lasted for months, with those closest to Bailey insisting that the criticism escalated around the time when Bailey was evicted from land in Hambleton which he used to run his charity Hugo's Small Animal Sanctuary.

Wendy Mulela, who runs the Homeward Bound animal sanctuary, knew Bailey since he was a student at Myerscough Agricultural College.

She said: "Please let us all take a moment to realise and reflect on the impact that comments on social media can have on young, fragile minds.

"No matter what people thought about recent events, Bailey was a young person who started out in the animal world with good intentions and he deserved a long and happy lie.

"I hope his soul is in peace now."

Bailey set up his sanctuary when he was just 18. He offered a rescue for small pets such as rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs as well as birds.

However, following his eviction from the Hambleton site, he had been forced to wind down the operation and find homes for the animals in his care.

The sanctuary was always short of cash and Bailey had to run countless fundraising campaigns to pay for enough food to feed his rescues.

At one point in 2022, he said he was down to his last £500.

He had also been plagued by 'vicious unfounded rumours' that he had failed to care for his animals properly.

However, Lancashire Police have since confirmed that Bailey was NOT being investigated for any wrongdoing.

The sanctuary was founded in 2018 by Bailey and his friend Lucie Anyon, when they were both 18-years-old.

In addition to the rented stables, they also kept rescued animals at their homes in Fisher Street, North Shore and Marl Hill Crescent, Ribbleton.

But by 2021 the cost of looking after so many animals had started to bite.

At the time he said: "I woke up on Monday and realised we had £500 left in our Paypal account and I panicked.

"It costs around £250-a-month ust for food and electricity for the animals, that's without vet bills and medication and we get more animals surrendered to us every week."

The followed months of fundraising events, including sponsored walks and online appeals for help.

The sanctuary was founded after Bailey rescued a rat called Hugo as a child which inspired him to work full-time saving other small animals.

Ms Mulela said: "It was no secret that Bailey had suffered a huge amount of abuse online and it is no secret that he took his life.

"His mental health was not good and he was under a tremendous amount of pressure. Dealing with all that and the abuse as well was too much for him."

The North Shore-raised young man offered a refuge for unwanted small pets such as hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits as well as birds.

While many continue grieving for him, his uncle Luke Lister has launched a petition calling for a stop to online bullying.

The petition signed by more than 2,000 people reads: “My nephew Bailey was just 22 years old when he lost his life. He was a young man with his whole future ahead of him.

“What happened to him didn't happen in a playground or in person — it happened online.

“He was subjected to sustained online bullying, and the cruelty he endured became too much for him to carry.

“That is the reality of online bullying. It doesn't stop when you log off. It follows you everywhere. It can make you feel isolated, worthless, and like there is no way out.

“For Bailey, the constant abuse destroyed his mental health and ultimately led to him taking his own life.

“The devastation this has caused our family is impossible to put into words. To lose someone so young, so full of potential, in this way is heartbreaking.”

To sign the petition visit here.

You’re not alone

Whatever you are going through, you don’t have to face it alone.

When life is difficult, Samaritans are there – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at [email protected], or visit www.samaritans.org for more.

PAPYRUS: Suicide prevention charity - 0800 068 4141.

National Bullying Helpline - 0300 323 0169.