CONVICTED (2021) | farmers John Christopher Read, born December 1949, and Sam Read, born 1985, of Prospect Farm, Higher Trethannas, Praze, Camborne TR14 9PQ – committed a string of animal welfare offences.
Repeat offender Sam Read and his equally cruel and incompetent father John Read were given an immediate prison sentence and a 10-year ban on keeping farm animals.
The Reads had moved from London to Cornwall to set up a smallholding 20 years earlier. But when Cornwall Council’s Animal Health Team visited the farm in December 2020, they found animals kept in unacceptable conditions.
Several of the animals were emaciated and one lamb could hardly walk.
At a follow-up visit the following month, inspectors found cattle with no food or bedding. Cows kept inside were caked in dung and sheep were covered in mud and shivering from the cold.
When a complaint was received in May 2021, inspectors found goats had overgrown hooves and access to dirty water and cattle were being fed poor-quality hay.
At a hearing on August 4, 2021, the Reads pleaded guilty to the following charges:
Failing to provide cattle with a clean well-drained lying area
Failing to protect cattle from dangerous objects
Failing to provide geese and ducks with clean litter and adequate light and ventilation
Failing to provide a lame lamb with prompt effective treatment
Failing to provide six yearling bullocks and heifers with clean well-drained lying areas
They received a 19-week custodial sentence and were disqualified from keeping farm animals for 10 years.
Both defendants appealed to Truro Crown Court and during mitigation, the court was told that considerable improvements have now been made to the farm and no animals had been treated deliberately cruelly.
Kevin Hill, prosecuting for the council, told the court many of the sheep were emaciated and had no quality supplementary feed.
The cattle were in poor body condition, kept on high ground and moorland, and had no shelter and no quality hay to eat. The cattle also had access to scrap and collapsed fencing.
The poultry were shut in a shed with no ventilation.
Judge Simon Carr said the cruelty had been deliberate and in a commercial context and as such the 19-week custody sentence was appropriate and not appealable.
The court also imposed a disqualification order in respect of farmed animals for a period of 10 years. The order was suspended for a period of 28 days to allow the farmed animals to be disposed of.
CONVICTED (2021) | Anthony Paul Robinson, born c. 1995, previously of Valiant Drive, east Hull HU9 – captured on CCTV attacking a lurcher with a metal pole, causing multiple injuries.
Lurcher Tyson suffered a broken jaw in a brutal attack by his owner, Anthony Robinson.
Career criminal Anthony Paul Robinson, now of HMP Humber, was sentenced to 16 weeks imprisonment after what magistrates described as a “horrendous attack” on a defenceless dog named Tyson.
CCTV captured the moment Tyson entered a lift being followed by Robinson who was brandishing what looked like a metal pole. He proceeded to lash out at Tyson who was cornered in the lift.
A vet reviewing the footage said: “I have little doubt that the dog was in fact forcefully struck multiple times”.
Police seized Tyson from Robinson and took him to RSPCA Hull & East Riding Branch.
Investigating RSPCA Inspector Jilly Dickinson took Tyson to a veterinary practice to be examined. He was quiet and calm and did not show any signs of aggression. Vets found he had a large graze on his rear right leg, a cut under his right eye and two broken teeth. X-rays revealed he had also sustained a broken jaw which required stabilising with screws. His broken teeth were removed and he was given only soft food for the following six weeks to allow his fractured jaw to heal.
During the sentencing hearing, magistrates commented it was a horrendous attack and an appalling incident.
Happily, Tyson, now called Goose has since been rehomed. His new owner said: “Goose is still learning his new home but settling in well. His favourite things include going on walks where he can sniff a lot of new smells, cuddling up on the sofa on film night, having lots of toys to play with and doing a lot of sleeping – usually on the softest piece of furniture he can find!”
Sentencing: 16-week custodial sentence. Ordered to pay a total of £308 costs and charges. Lifetime ban but can appeal after a mere five years.
CONVICTED (2021) | Calum Turner, born c. 1996, of 60 Antonio Street, Bootle L20 2EU – caught on CCTV battering a terrified Staffy as the dog lay helpless on the ground.
Calum Turner was not banned from keeping animals despite launching a vicious attack on a defenceless dog.
The shocking two-minute footage showed Turner wrestling and kicking out at something that is moving around on the ground, but is obscured by the angle of the camera.
Turner then removes a handle from a push toy and uses this to strike down multiple times before stamping down and kicking in the same direction.
He then stands up and as he does a Staffordshire bull terrier emerges from the area and runs across the garden.
Inspector Joanne McDonald assisted with the RSPCA investigation and attended the property where the incident took place in Lewisham Road, Norris Green, with the police on July 2, 2021.
She said: “Before attending the location I saw the CCTV footage of the beating. I saw a male, who I now know to be a Mr Calum Turner, who appeared to be hitting, kicking and smacking a dog for a prolonged period.
“The fence seemed to be obstructing the view but near the end the dog clearly ran away from the area Mr Turner was seen in. It was very upsetting to watch and I was very concerned for the dogs at that property.”
At the property, Inspector McDonald explained why they were visiting and asked that the dogs be seen by a vet to be checked over.
She said: “After the dogs were loaded into my van Mr Turner approached me and said that he had repeatedly whacked Mochi with a soft toy as he thought he had mauled their other dog Mitzee.
“He then said he had his arms around Mochi and was shouting at him and he admitted that he went too far.”
The two dogs, five-year-old Mochi and 12-week-old Mitzee were then taken to a vet to be assessed where they were found to be bright and alert and without injuries. However, the court heard how the vet report stated that Mochi had been caused to suffer.
The vet report concluded: “Although the CCTV footage and lack of supporting medical evidence of injury do not provide any definitive evidence Turner made physical contact with Mochi by striking the dog with the metal and plastic push toy handle and by kicking and stamping down on the dog, the statements made by Turner confirm such physical contact did occur which caused the dog to yelp and cry out.
“These actions would have caused the dog to suffer.
“Suffering will have been experienced by this animal via mechanisms of pain, fear and distress for a period of two minutes, probably longer.”
Magistrates decided not to impose a disqualification order on Turner. While they accepted that the abuse was “prolonged and nasty” they felt that Turner had acted out of duress and took into account his “previous good character”.
Turner is not the owner of either Mochi or Mitzee.
RSPCA Inspector Leanne Cragg, who investigated said: “This was a callous act involving the deliberate beating of poor Mochi who would have experienced pain and fear as a direct result of this horrible attack.”
Sentencing: 12-month community order with 160 hours of unpaid work. Ordered to pay a total of £595. No ban.
CONVICTED (2021) | farmer Albert Sauer, born c. 1935, of Tangymoil Farm, Kilkenzie, Campbeltown PA28 6QD – caused huge pain and suffering to a herd of donkeys.
The donkeys were neglected with deformed and overgrown hooves.
Albert Sauer pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering after two donkeys in his care were euthanised on humane grounds.
Scottish SPCA officers visited the farm after receiving a report of animal neglect from a concerned member of the public.
There they saw five male and six female donkeys whose hooves were so badly deformed that they struggled to even walk properly.
Some of the animals were underweight with bald patches on their coats. Sauer admitted they had not been seen by a vet for some time.
The surviving donkeys are recovering from their ordeal in the specialist care of The Donkey Sanctuary.
In total, 11 donkeys were removed from Sauer, with the nine surviving animals taken into the care of international animal welfare charity The Donkey Sanctuary.
Scottish SPCA inspector Yvonne Inglis, who led the investigation, said: “This is without a doubt the worst case of equine neglect I’ve come across.”
“All it would have taken to save these donkeys from months of pain and suffering was regular foot trimming from a farrier. There is no justification for allowing the health of these poor donkeys to deteriorate to this point.
“Thankfully, The Donkey Sanctuary stepped in to offer support and have been providing them with care and treatment in the right environment. They are all in a much better, happier place now.”
The nine surviving donkeys have slowly been nursed back to full health with each appointed dedicated grooms.
They all require special diets to build their weight back up as well as farrier and dental treatment.
Sentencing: Fined £300. 10-year ban on owning donkeys or horses.
CONVICTED (2021) | Richard William Dean, born 16 January 1967, of Signal Terrace, Sticklepath, Barnstaple EX31 2BA – neglected his dogs by failing to treat their ailments.
Richard William Dean is banned from owning animals for the rest of his life but can appeal after just 10 years.
Dean was banned from keeping animals for life and given an 18-week suspended prison sentence in relation to two elderly dogs, following a prosecution by the RSPCA.
Investigating RSPCA Inspector Claire Ryder attended Dean’s address after members of the public contacted the charity with welfare concerns.
Dean presented 14-year-old collie Murphy who was described as being “in a terrible state, unable to stand and his head was tilted to one side.”
The animal rescuer noted that there was a strong smell of infection coming from him, with two holes either side of his face with green gunk coming out of the holes.
An examining vet concluded Murphy, who was severely underweight and collapsed, had suffered prolonged chronic pain.
The vet said: “These conditions presented late in the course of disease. Earlier veterinary intervention would have prevented Murphy from months to years of unnecessary suffering.
“Murphy, in my opinion, suffered a combination of acute and chronic pain from the combination of marked dental disease and resultant dental abscess, orthopaedic pain from hind limb arthritis and a burst anal gland abscess.”
A second dog, an 11-year-old collie named Tramp, was found to have chronic itchiness from swelling, ulceration and bleeding from a severe ear infection in both ears, which had caused a purulent discharge and mass in the right ear due to repetitive scratching.
Murphy was described as being “in a terrible state, unable to stand and his head was tilted to one side”
The issues facing Murphy were so serious that he had to be put to sleep immediately by the vet. Tramp was signed over into the care of the RSPCA and has since been found a new home.
Speaking after the hearing, RSPCA Inspector Claire Ryder said: “Our plea to all animal owners is to make sure they always receive care and treatment from veterinary experts when they need it.
“If people are struggling to cover the costs, there are a number of charities which provide help for veterinary care for pet owners in financial difficulties. People can also work with their vet to spread the cost of treatment.
“Pets are completely reliant on their owners to ensure their needs are met and they are kept safe and healthy. Owning an animal is a privilege – and ensuring appropriate veterinary care is a key part of the responsibility we have towards our pets.”
Sentencing: 18-month suspended prison sentence; £378 in costs and charges. Lifetime ban, which can not be appealed for ten years.
CONVICTED (2021) | puppy farmer Jayne Bowerman, born 9 January 1961, of 4 Ty Meddyg, Ebbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent NP23 5FP – falsely advertised farmed puppies as home-bred
Jayne Bowerman received a heavy fine for her illicit puppy trading business.
Jayne Bowerman pleaded guilty to nine offences following an investigation into her family’s pet shop by Blaenau Gwent Trading Standards Service.
Family business: Jayne Bowerman is pictured here with husband and business partner Lee Bowerman, their daughter Harriet Bowerman, and son Jack Bowerman. The latter, a horse dealer trading under the name Trenewydd Welsh Cobs, is also a puppy trader and frequently advertises litters on Facebook and elsewhere.
Bowerman advertised and sold puppies by giving the impression she was a private breeder, when in fact Tyr Meddyg Pups, the business she owned jointly with her husband Lee Bowerman (born 21 July 1958) , was a commercial pet shop. She also failed to disclose that she was not the owner of the mother dog referred to in the adverts.
Jayne and Jack Bowerman
Bowerman had hidden the business’s identity when advertising, often using false names and contact addresses when placing adverts on websites such as Freeads.co.uk – which strictly prohibits pet shops from advertising.
Trading Standards received a number of complaints – dating from June 2019 – from customers who felt misled, as they thought they were buying from a private breeder and were expecting that they would be able to view the mother.
Lee Bowerman with son Jack.
Many of the complainants said they would not have contacted the seller after viewing the adverts had they known the business was a licensed pet shop.
Richard Crook, corporate director for public protection at Blaenau Gwent council, said: “Adverts must provide prospective customers with clear and accurate information about the product, in this case animal, being sold and about the type or nature of the business that is offering the pet for sale.
“The Trading Standards investigation revealed that Bowerman did not do this and deliberately misled customers.”
Patrick Smith, defending, told the court that since Bowerman had been aware of the investigation, she had stopped advertising.
He also claimed that the business had received threats and intimidation and claimed there had also been instances where his client’s adverts had been cloned and replicated.
Bowerman pleaded guilty to a total of eight charges of a trader engaging in unfair commercial practice, and one charge of a trader engaging in a commercial practice which is a misleading omission.
She was fined a total of £4,500, and ordered to pay £10,000 in costs, as well as a £181 victim surcharge.
Source: Facebook 19 July 2021.Source: FacebookSource: Facebook.
Cllr Joanna Wilkins, executive member for the environment at Blaenau Gwent Council, said: “This was a lengthy and challenging Trading Standards investigation where victims were misled by the practices of Bowerman.
“The case illustrates the importance that puppy purchasers know the origin and home environment of the animal they are purchasing.
Jayne and Jack Bowerman.
“The Tyr Meddyg business did not stick to the rules and advertised under false names, masquerading on advertising platforms as private home breeders.
“Fortunately, Lucy’s Law was adopted as law in Wales on September 10, and it is now illegal to sell puppies or kittens unless being sold by the original breeder.
“This will provide greater protection for customers and combat third party sales which are often linked to puppy farming.”
CONVICTED (2021) | Sarah Poppleton from the village of Drybrook, Forest of Dean – banned from keeping dogs for just two years despite neglecting her pet dog’s “urgent” health needs.
Sarah Poppleton failed to address her pet dog’s severe dental problems and allowed her to become overweight and infested with fleas.
Sarah Poppleton was prosecuted by Forest of Dean District Council after her border collie Tilly was found “crawling” with fleas, “critically” overweight and in desperate need of dental work.
Poppleton failed to attend court to answer charges under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, but the case was heard and proven in her absence.
She was sentenced on October 20, 2021.
Tilly was originally signed over by Poppleton to the Forest of Dean Dog Rescue, who later notified the district council’s Street Warden Team of the condition of the dog.
She was found to be in poor condition with “an overwhelming smell” coming from her mouth.
After receiving veterinary care, Tilly underwent urgent dental work, requiring 20 teeth to be extracted.
It later transpired that Poppleton was advised 12 months prior to the surrendering of Tilly that dental work was required, but “failed to take steps” to seek veterinary attention.
The council said this delay “would have caused suffering to the dog”.
Poppleton “did show remorse” at sentencing and explained at court that she had experienced changes in her personal circumstances, which had “significantly contributed” to her inability to care for the dog.
The prosecution was undertaken by Forest of Dean District Council’s Legal Services team, working with the Street Wardens Team and Counter Fraud Unit (CFU).
Sentencing: ordered to pay a total of £707 in fines. Disqualified from keeping or looking after dogs for two years (expires October 2023).
CONVICTED (2021) | puppy farm dealer Katie Louise Salmon, born 9 May 1985, previously of Kirkwood Grove, Middleton, Milton Keynes, but now living in Bournemouth* – supplied sick and dying puppies to members of the public.
Salmon was part of an international dog smuggling ring based in Milton Keynes.
Thirteen other people involved in the puppy farming operation, including several members of Irish traveller family, the Cawleys, were jailed in August 2021.
The court heard the mother-of-two had sold seriously ill dogs through the website Pets4Homes.
The dogs had come from members of the Cawley family and their home in Mullacreevie Park, County Armagh, Northern Ireland.
Prosecutor Hazel Stevens told the court how the RSPCA tracked down Salmon to her then address in Kirkwood Grove on Middleton after they linked her to numerous puppy sales online between July and November 2019.
One victim told the hearing how her Shih Tzu puppy named Barnaby that she brought from Salmon in October 2019 soon turned out to be desperately ill. She said: “After taking him to the vets for a check-up we realised that Barnaby was a lot younger than we had been informed and that he was extremely underweight and malnourished.
“Myself and my partner stayed up all night with Barnaby giving hourly food, fluids and medication.
“At 7.15am on October 24, 2019, we were awoken by the traumatic cries of our 11-year-old son who had been into our room and found Barnaby no longer breathing. Myself and my partner tried in vain to revive him while our children looked on, traumatised and heartbroken.”
The devastated owner, who was visibly upset as she sat in the public gallery of the court, heard statements from her children about how it had affected them.
Her six-year-old wrote: “I feel really sad that Barnaby died, and I feel angry at his old owners because they didn’t feed him and look after him like we did.
“I really miss Barnaby and wish he was still at home with us, I just want Barnaby back.”
Defending Salmon, Nicola Talbot-Hadley told the court that she had recently escaped from a long term abusive relationship and that she had been manipulated by Joseph and Margaret Cawley into selling the dogs.
However, sentencing her Judge Sheridan said: “I have not seen any evidence that she was exploited, they were all in this together. This was well organised and brilliantly executed.
“They were trading in misery.”
The judge added: “The harm that this has caused is enormous and it is not limited to adults. There were children who were looking forward to welcoming a new member of their family.
“The British people would expect a sentence of immediate custody, to give the message that if you get involved in this filthy, horribly mean trade, you should expect a custodial sentence.”
Salmon admitted one count of conspiracy to commit fraud as well as a number of other charges under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and breaching her bail conditions.
Sentencing: jailed for 15 months and banned from keeping animals for the rest of her life.
*Updated address:
Lorne Park Mansions 33 Lorne Park Road BOURNEMOUTH BH1 1JL
CONVICTED (2021) | Thomas Lee Trinkl, born 7 March 1993, of Sealand Court, Sealand Avenue, Garden City, Deeside CH5 2HL – attacked his dog and left the pet with untreated rib fractures and wounds to his face and paw.
Trinkl was given an 18-week suspended prison sentence and banned from keeping animals for 10 years after a court heard he threw his pet dog over a fence because he was frustrated with training him.
The dog, a Sharpei named Teddy, suffered serious rib fractures and wounds on his face and paw, which were not discovered until weeks later.
Teddy was taken to the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital for treatment where vets found he had three historic rib fractures that had also been left untreated.
Speaking at his trial, Trinkl said Teddy’s broken ribs could have been caused when he was out on a walk or left unaccompanied in the street.
However, the court heard that an RSPCA officer had visited Bridge View in Deeside in 2020, following reports from members of the public who had seen Teddy being hit and thrown over a fence.
Passers-by reported that Teddy was extremely nervous and appeared scared by any sudden movements.
Trinkl, who has a history of violence, later admitted throwing the pooch over the fence but said this was because he was frustrated with training the animal.
RSPCA inspector Jenny Anderton said: “Tommy Trinkl said he got frustrated with the dog sometimes and that the previous day, the dog had “tipped him over the edge” and that he had thrown it over the wall as it was “the only way out”.
“I asked him whether he would like to sign the dog over if he wasn’t managing with its behaviour. He said he would think about it. He said the dog had been toileting in the house and that he lost his rag with the dog sometimes but he didn’t want to give up on it like his family had given up on him.”
The court was told that Teddy would show signs of fear when Trinkl became agitated and would shake, urinate and defecate in the house.
He said he hadn’t noticed his dog was in pain because of the rib fractures and said Teddy was “always having little accidents” and might do things like “run into a door.”
The vet who first treated Teddy told the court: “It requires considerable force to disrupt the structure of a bone and cause it to break or fracture. The owner’s explanation of how Teddy’s injuries could have occurred do not match the severity of the injuries.
“It is my opinion that Teddy was allowed to suffer due to a failure of his owner to present the dog for veterinary assessment and treatment of multiple rib fractures.
“It is also my opinion that there is a significant probability that the injuries identified in Teddy were non-accidental in nature and that the owner, Thomas Lee Trinkl, was the most likely person to have assaulted Teddy.”
A second veterinary surgeon who examined and took X-rays of Teddy, said: “The fractures will have resulted in unnecessary pain and suffering to Teddy which in my opinion has occurred on multiple occasions.”
Teddy has made good progress in the care of the RSPCA and will be looking for a new home.
Sentencing: 18-week suspended prison sentence; 240 hours of unpaid work; victim surcharge of £128. 10-year ban from owning animals (expires October 2031).
Thomas Lee Trinkl, now of East Parade, in Rhyl was found guilty of after trial of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The court heard that Trink’s attack on his autistic neighbour left the man “covered in blood”.
Gary Harvey, defending, said Trinkl had made significant changes in his life and outlook since the offence, telling the court his client had significant mental health difficulties of his own.
He explained: “I’ve seen a remarkable change in him from where he was a couple of years ago.
“He’s on post-sentence supervision at the moment and turns 30 next week
[…]
“Clearly he was suffering at the time, but there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation – a custodial sentence would be such a backward step.”
The court heard how Trinkl had been engaging well with probation services on his post sentence supervision, and that he now works with community mental health services on a regular basis.
Trinkl was handed a six month custodial sentence, but it was suspended for two years given his engagement with probation and mental health issues. He was ordered to pay £500 compensation to the victim, as well as £320 in prosecution costs. A two year restraining order was put in place to protect the victim.
CONVICTED (2021) | Antonio Ronaldo Emillio Kovacs, born 17 January 2002, of 46 Stanley Road, Warmley, Bristol BS15 4NX – kept dogs in horrific conditions at a hotel.
Antonio Kovacs. Picture: Facebook
Roma gypsy Kovacs, who is from a notorious Bristol-based crime family, admitted offences against his Vizsla and his French Bulldog, after police found 13 dogs being kept in squalid conditions at the Rangeworthy Court Country House Hotel, Church Lane, Rangeworthy, South Gloucestershire.
The neglect took place between May 22 and June 1, 2021, when the dogs were staying in sheds on the hotel’s land.
Lindi Meyer, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said: “Rangeworthy Court Country House is a hotel which was closed during the pandemic, and it transpired 13 dogs were kept in kennels and sheds there. Their needs were not being met and the dogs were in a suffering state.
“Five dogs were seized, including three owned by Mr Kovacs. All have since been signed over. Others were removed by those responsible for the dogs, and two were signed over to council kennels by Attila Kovacs, the defendant’s father [Attila Kovacs was convicted of puppy smuggling in 2016].
“Police had been alerted to concerns for dogs at the site, where they found a large shed with six kennels which in turn contained 10 dogs. A further three dogs were found in another shed. The property was unoccupied.
“Police opened the doors of the sheds, which had very little natural light, poor ventilation and no water. The inside of the kennels were filthy and had a strong smell of faeces, urine and ammonia.”
Some of the 10 dogs in the larger shed had pressure sores and all had “filthy” coats contaminated by urine and faeces, Ms Meyer added.
Antonio Kovacs. Picture: Facebook
Antonio Kovacs owned three of the dogs, one of which was a red Labrador Vizsla named Sarah, who gave birth to six puppies two days after being seized.
His other two dogs at the site were a blue and white French Bulldog, Holly, who had an ulcer in her eye, and a brown and grey wirehaired pointer, Berry, who had pus in her skin and weeping lesions.
“An inspector found Berry had a raised temperature, multiple weeping skin lesions, and was quiet and panting,” said Ms Meyer. “Holly had watery fluid affecting her left eye.
“The inspector concluded both the dogs were suffering, and had been for seven to 10 days, and Sarah was also likely to suffer if circumstances didn’t change.
“Some of the dogs were removed by the RSPCA, while the other eight dogs were left in situ, but only after the RSPCA had cleaned out the kennels and provided fresh water and bedding.
“Inspector Waters spoke to the owner of the property, who said the cottage had been rented by a family but their belongings had gone and no one was residing at the premises.
French bulldog Holly only had one eye with the other eye being badly damaged with an untreated infection.
Holly and Berry were examined at Highcroft vet surgery in Bristol, which had to remove Berry’s matted fur with electric clippers for her sores to be treated. Berry had open wounds and pus in her skin, as well as a fever.
“The vet found there had been no vet assistance for a long time and this would have been preventable with the most basic hygiene methods, whether the wounds were caused by bite marks or skin lesions,” Ms Meyer said.
Holly had a fractured tooth and only one eye. The vet believed her to be blind, given the extent of the disease in her remaining eye.
Ms Meyer described Holly’s cornea as “likely to rupture” and very painful to the touch. The eye needed surgery, which has allowed the dog to have some peripheral vision, but she will retain a permanent defect.
Following the vet appointment, an RSPCA inspector attended the hotel and saw three males in a white Transit van speeding out of the driveway. There were no longer any dogs in the shed. Kovacs said they had been taken by his family members.
Kovacs pictured during his court appearance.
In his interview with the RSPCA, Kovacs claimed he had owned Holly for a couple of years and Berry three or four years. He said Vets4Pets had seen Holly a few months earlier and given her eye drops, but RSPCA enquiries with the practice found no such appointment was recorded. Kovacs also claimed Berry had cream for her skin from a few months earlier.
Ms Meyer told the court: “Mr Kovacs said the dogs had been at Rangeworthy Court because he had gone to visit his family, and they were supposed to be in the care of a Mr Hassan.
“Mr Kovacs said he was paying £50, and just knew Mr Hassan through a friend. He said he had given Mr Hassan written instructions and medication for a week.
“He said, ‘I do not associate myself with my family or breeding with dogs.’ However, it is clear all other dogs at the location were owned by or linked to his family.”
The prosecutor added it was a concern that the presentence report did not address whether a custodial sentence could be considered. She argued that the case was one of “clearly prolonged neglect” and that there was a risk of reoffending.
“The family appears to be breeding and selling puppies for commercial purposes, and are currently under investigation by the local authority,”
Ms Meyer said. “Mr Kovacs has tried to distance himself from his family in his interview, yet the address he gave is one linked to his father.”
Kate Sacof, mitigating, argued the conditions were “fairly short-term”, adding: “He had placed the dogs in this environment while he went on holiday. He says when he inspected the place there was definitely water and light and air.
“It would seem out of the family members involved in this incident, he is the one who has remained and accepted responsibility for those two dogs.”
Holly (top) and Berry (now Elka), a German wirehaired pointer, have been nursed back to health and rehomed.
Ms Sacof said her client had “demonstrated an immaturity probably exploited by more criminally minded individuals”, pointing out he is only 19, with no previous convictions.
She told the court: “He has a reference from a local shop owner who has known him for 15 years, and he comes to court today with a family friend whose garage he has been working in.
“He is working three hours a day, taking home £95 to £100 a week. He is hoping to train as an MOT tester but needs to pass his driving test.”
The prosecutor told the magistrates they had the power to impose a lifelong disqualification from owning animals, but Presiding Justice Stephen Wilson instead handed down a ban of 10 years.
Sentencing: 15 weeks in jail suspended for 18 months; 200 hours of unpaid work, £1,300 in prosecution costs and a £128 victim surcharge. 10-year ban on owning animals (expires October 2031).
