CONVICTED (2024) | Bethany Butterworth, born 23 October 1996, of Glaister Lane, Breightmet, Bolton BL2 5BS but with links to Blackpool – abandoned a maliciously injured elderly dog to starve to death.
Bull breed Reuben, who also had five fractured ribs and multiple missing teeth, was found wrapped in a duvet cover in a storage box by RSPCA officers at Butterworth’s home in March 2023.
Butterworth had moved out of the property but said she had been returning daily to feed him.
RSPCA inspector Beth Fazackerley and animal rescue officer Ross Allan visited the property to investigate a report of concern about the welfare of a dog.
In written evidence, inspector Fazackerley said: “We received no reply at the front door so we walked around the side and back of the house to see if we could see anybody or any animals.
“In the garden I saw a seemingly unused dog crate and dog bowl and an empty fish tank.
“There was a black storage box and inside we found a deceased, white and brown bull breed type dog wrapped inside a duvet cover.
“I rang the police for assistance and made further local enquiries and was informed that the tenant used to have three dogs of varying descriptions.
“One of those descriptions matched the deceased dog we had observed in the storage box and was called Reuben.”
The inspector was given a mobile number for Butterworth who initially told her that if there was a dead dog in her garden she did not know about it and that someone must have put it there.
Photographs of Reuben’s body showed his prominent backbone, pelvis, and ribs.
The abdominal area behind them was sunken and severe muscle wastage could be seen over the spine of the dog’s shoulder blade.
Dark brown soiling of the fur around his mouth, chin, feet, and hind legs was also visible.
Other images showed him inside the property lying on the floor surrounded by piles of faeces.
A post-mortem report found Reuben had an untreated skin lesion, five fractured ribs, three of which were in a later stage of healing, and multiple missing teeth – with those that remained showing severe wear and tear and root exposure.
A plastic bag and a piece of acrylic nail were also found in his stomach.
It said there were no underlying medical reasons to explain his emaciated state which would have taken “weeks or months to develop”.
A vet who gave written evidence in the case and saw the post mortem report, said: “The presence of this material in the stomach and oesophagus suggests that as recently as a few hours before death that this dog was able to physically eat.
“The presence of non-food items with no nutritional value is found more frequently in dogs suffering from starvation than those with severe weight loss from medical causes.
“Rib fractures in dogs are usually the result of major blunt force trauma to the chest wall.
“Breaking of ribs requires significant force, for example a road traffic accident or other major trauma such as a kick from a horse, a high rise fall, or non-accidental injury or deliberate physical assault.
“Given that Reuben’s injuries were not examined at the time of the injury a lot of these associated injuries may have healed and not have been evident at the time of post mortem making differentiation of cause difficult.”
The vet said the nine-year-old dog was suffering from malnutrition to the point of emaciation, which was likely to have developed over several weeks to months.
She said pain from the untreated rib fractures was likely to have been present for a minimum of two weeks – and potentially several weeks – and his severe dental disease for a minimum of around 12 months.
She said any reasonable dog owner would avoid leaving their pet alone for more than a few hours every day, even less if their animal was obviously ill or injured and would seek veterinary advice when they noticed a reduction in appetite, weight loss or difficulties with mobility.
When interviewed by the RSPCA inspector, Butterworth admitted that she was responsible for Reuben but claimed she was returning daily to feed him.
She said he had gone through stages of not eating in the past and that his weight used to fluctuate because of this.
He had lost muscle and “wouldn’t walk much because of his age”, but that in the weeks and days leading up to his death she had no concerns.
She said she had returned to the house in February to find him dead and then put his body in the storage box in the back garden.
In defence, the court was told that Butterworth had mental health issues.
Butterworth had admitted causing unnecessary suffering by failing to meet Reuben’s needs at an earlier hearing on December 14, after being arrested on a warrant.
Speaking after the case Inspector Fazackerley said: “This was an extremely upsetting investigation and one that will stay with me and my colleague for a long time.
“Reuben was an elderly dog with deteriorating health who should have received the appropriate care and veterinary support in his twilight years.
“Instead, he was left to waste away, to the point of starvation, over a considerable period of time, and then disposed of in the garden and forgotten about.”
Sentencing | 12-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months; 25 rehabilitation activity days. FIVE-year ban applicable to all animals (expires February 2029).
CONVICTED (2024) | backyard breeder Simon Hobbs, born 19 September 1977, of 23 Davies Drive, Caerphilly CF83 3RG – kept neglected and malnourished dogs in inhumane conditions.
On 8 February 2024 Simon Hobbs pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to five dogs including a pregnant Belgian Malinois.
He was prosecuted following an investigation by Caerphilly Council’s Trading Standards team who executed a number of warrants, in June 2023.
Trading Standards and Gwent Police officers accompanied by a vet carried out a search of Hobbs’ home and found six dogs in the kitchen with three of them – French bulldogs – housed in a very small cage.
Conditions in the kitchen were cramped, overcrowded and uncomfortable with little room to play, toilet and feed.
The dogs shared one food tray and two bowls of water.
A pregnant Belgian Malinois was significantly underweight. She gave birth to eight puppies 10 days later.
An Akita was found in an outside lean-to wooden kennel in direct sunlight, with no soft bedding or enrichment. Temperatures recorded early in the day, exceeded 26 degrees, the maximum accepted temperature for dogs.
Three dogs were found with conditions which caused them unnecessary suffering due to a lack of veterinary intervention and management.
The dogs were removed and placed into the care of Hope Rescue with the Malinois and her litter in need of intensive care to ensure their survival.
Sara Rosser, Operations Manager of Hope Rescue Centre said, “We were pleased to be able to support the hard work of Caerphilly County Borough Council with this case. It was shocking to see so many dogs living in such awful conditions.
“The dogs needed vet treatment and specialist care – one of the dogs who especially touched and saddened us was the Malinois who we named Jinx.
“As well as being in an awful condition, she was pregnant. We were very concerned that she would not have the strength to give birth and care for her litter but thanks for the hard work of the Hope Rescue Team, all eight puppies survived, and Jinx is now thriving.
“We are delighted that most of the dogs have already found loving new homes.’
Sentencing | ordered to pay £8,388.73 in fines, costs and a surcharge. He was disqualified from keeping all animals for five years (expires February 2029).
CONVICTED (2024) | Alison Denise Silk, born 20 December 1956, of The Rath, Camrose, Haverfordwest SA62 6JP – kept 30 ailing poodles in appalling conditions
Breeder Alison Silk kept 30 severely matted poodles in cages surrounded by dog faeces
Alison Silk, a breeder trading under the name Silkmountain Poodles, kept 30 poodles in “disgusting and filthy” conditions on her farm near Haverfordwest.
The court was told that RSPCA officer Keith Hogben and a Pembrokeshire County Council dog warden visited Rath Farm on September 4, 2023..
All of the dogs were taken into RSPCA care and all but one were nursed back to health
A statement provided to the court from Inspector Hogben said that as he entered the front door, he could smell “a very unpleasant smell of dog faeces and urine”.
Inspector Hogben added: “The door to the kitchen was closed and as the door was opened a large number of dogs greeted us. The dogs were all barking and each of the dogs were heavily matted.”
He was next shown into a conservatory and he described the scene: “The room was very hot with dogs in cages and large amounts of faeces both fresh and trodden into the floor. Any bedding in the dog cages was soiled and there was no water in this room for any of the dogs.
“Again, the dogs in this room had heavily matted coats which were contaminated with faeces. I did not see any windows open. We were then shown to the dogs at the rear of the property that were kept in two runs. The back garden was covered with dog faeces of various ages and had obviously not been cleaned for many weeks/months, by the door to the conservatory was a wheelbarrow with dog faeces in it.”
There were eight dogs, all with heavily matted coats with no water in the first kennel and there were two rabbit-type feeding bottles on the bars of the run which were both empty.
Inspector Hogben said: “Inside the kennel was a large amount of faeces and hardly any bedding in the sleeping area, just a couple of plastic dog beds. In the other dog kennel were five male dogs all with matted coats and again no access to water, this kennel also had two rabbit-type water bottles on the bars but both were empty.
“There was a large build up of faeces in this kennel which had not been cleaned out for a very long time. The door to the kennel could not be opened fully due to the build up of faeces. These dogs were then let out by Alison Silk and they started to drink from a bucket containing green coloured water.”
A vet who attended confirmed that all the dogs would need to be removed due to their body conditions and their environment. A witness statement was also provided to the court by a vet who examined the 30 dogs at RSPCA Merthyr Tydfil Veterinary Clinic, between September 5 and 7, 2023.
She said: “The dogs all had severe matting over the majority of their bodies with faeces and urine within the matts and a very strong smell of faeces and urine, with the exception of one who showed signs of being recently groomed but still had heavy matting on one leg (with faeces in), his tail (with faeces in), and the tip of his prepuce (with urine in).
“Another dog had some small clip patches indicating a partial attempt at grooming but was still heavily matted including one ear being matted to the side of his head. Many of the dogs had large matts under their chins soaked in water, as they were unable to drink without dipping the matts in water. Seven of the dogs had live fleas seen when examined. All dogs apart from one were underweight.”
Many of the dogs were in need of medical procedures, the court heard.
The vet added: “Twelve had severe dental disease and were likely in need of teeth extractions. Seven others had at least moderate dental disease and would benefit from having their teeth cleaned and assessed under a general anaesthetic. Seventeen had signs of ocular disease.
“Many had matts hanging over their eyes and a few had matts formed between hair on their upper and lower eyelids on at least one eye, partially holding their eyes shut. The most likely cause of the eye issues seemed likely to me to be local irritation from the matts or the level of faeces and urine in the environment, but I cannot rule out an infectious cause.”
It was heard that all dogs had flea treatment applied and were wormed and vaccinations were also given.
The vet added: “Where possible, fur was clipped to allow better movement and comfort, as the level of matting in almost all of these dogs was severe enough that it was limiting joint movement and the heaviness of the matts would be pulling on the skin and causing discomfort.”
Further grooming was then carried out at animal centres and boarding establishments.
Five young male and one female poodles went to Greenacres Animal Rescue for rehoming, with the others were taken into the care of RSPCA centres and RSPCA branches for rehoming.
Sadly, one dog was put to sleep on welfare grounds.
The final seven dogs who, following the hearing, had been signed over to the RSPCA, will now be rehomed.
Video footage and photographs were shown to District Judge Mark Layton which displayed the filthy conditions inside the property. The RSPCA officer could be heard saying, ‘This is pretty disgusting.”
Silk pleaded guilty to three charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and an additional charge of not taking steps to ensure the needs of her 30 poodles were met.
Silk, who represented herself, told the court she was sorry and spoke about her family circumstances and health issues in mitigation
Sentencing | 26 weeks in custody suspended for 12 months; 10 days of rehabilitation activity; £10,300 costs and £134 court surcharge. Disqualified from keeping, dealing and transporting animals for ten years.
CONVICTED (2024) | George Robert Watson, born 26 September 1972, of 17 Cedar Terrace, West Cornforth, Ferryhill DL17 9NG – left a stallion in pain with a deep head wound.
Watson, a traveller who generally goes by the name Robert Watson, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a horse known as Delboy.
The animal was found with a headcollar so tightly fitted to his head that the metal clip had dug into his skin – causing a painful wound.
An RSPCA Inspector attended a field close to the A1 near Bishop Middleham, Ferryhill on 5 May 2023, after concerns were raised to the charity about the welfare of a horse.
The Inspector found a tethered piebald stallion cob horse, but immediately noticed the horse’s tight head collar buckle embedded around the left side of his face and jaw area.
The inspector said in a witness statement: “The clip on the left hand side of Delboy’s face had dug into the side of his cheek and caused a deep gash which was oozing puss.
“The whole left hand side of the pony’s face was extremely swollen, it was noticeable from a distance away.”
A specialist equine vet was called and after examining Delboy certified that he was suffering.
Durham Police placed him into the care of the RSPCA, where he was transported for veterinary treatment.
In their witness statement, the veterinary surgeon stated: “The soft tissues around the wound were swollen and tender, and the wound where the clip was embedded was painful and the horse did react to me removing the clip.
“These wounds could have been easily prevented by the owner not allowing such a tight headcollar – I believe it had most likely been in place for several weeks as a minimum.”
They added: “By failing to identify a tight headcollar which therefore caused painful wounds to the face, and by also failing to identify wounds that were present and immediately removing the headcollar and seeking veterinary attention to provide first aid and pain relief as a minimum, it is my professional opinion that this owner has caused unnecessary pain and suffering to this horse.”
In May 2023 Watson told his Facebook friends that Delboy had been stolen. In reality, the horse had been removed from him following weeks of neglect.
Watson signed Delboy over to the care of the RSPCA. He has since been cared for at an RSPCA establishment and has recovered well. When he is ready, the team will look to find him a loving new home.
In mitigation given for Watson, it was heard that a relationship break up and a foot injury were factors.
The investigating RSPCA Inspector said after sentencing: “I’m pleased we were able to get Delboy to safety and have his wounds treated.
“It’s so important that horse owners regularly check on their animals for signs of discomfort or poor health, especially when they are left wearing head collars or rugs for any length of time.
“I’m so pleased that Delboy has made such a good recovery from his wounds, and that he will now go on to be adopted into a loving new home.”
Sentencing | ordered to pay a £300 fine, a victim surcharge of £80 and costs of £725. Disqualified from owning horses for three years (expires February 2027).
CONVICTED (2024) | Darren Hughes, born c. 1975, of Millfield, Six Acres Estate, Pooles Park, London N4 3PB – left his pet shih tzu to be eaten alive by fleas.
Hughes was convicted of animal cruelty in relation to the dog, Chewie after leaving him abandoned and suffering for several months at his home.
A member of the public found the dog collapsed and took him to the vet, where he was diagnosed with a heavy flea burden and iron deficiency.
The vet was forced to put Chewie to sleep to end his suffering.
In evidence, the vet wrote: “Chewie was suffering for an extended length of time, as the initial mean corpuscular volume (MCV) was very low, and with chronic anaemia and ongoing blood loss, one or more months are required before the MCV and MCHC decrease below reference intervals.
“This patient’s mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) wasn’t even registered by our laboratory, which is likely to mean red blood cells do not have enough haemoglobin. It also shows thrombocytosis (increased platelets), which is often present in animals with iron deficiency anaemia.
“The biochemistry blood test results show that he had low creatine, which was likely related to muscle loss, and increased urea, which is likely related to dehydration. He was diagnosed with severe anaemia due to his infestation with fleas.”
A cat was also removed from Hughes and will now be rehomed.
In mitigation, he said an alcohol addiction resulted in failing to provide Chewie with veterinary treatment.
After sentencing, Inspector Shahnaz Ahmad said: “This was a distressing case, poor Chewie had been left on his own for large periods of time while he was riddled with fleas, they were literally eating him alive.
“It’s thanks to a member of the public alerting us to the condition of this dog that he was punished for his actions. Sadly it was too late to save Chewie, but it does mean this individual will never be able to neglect pets in this way again.”
Sentencing | 18-week custodial, suspended for 18 months; victim surcharge of £154. Banned indefinitely from keeping all animals.
CONVICTED (2024) | John Paul McDonagh (born 01/10/1990) and his wife Mary Louise McDonagh (27/05/1992); Francie Gabriel McDonagh (18/01/1989) and his wife Angela Christina McDonagh (13/10/1989); Patrick Christopher McDonagh Snr (02/02/1977) and his wife Mary Christina McDonagh Snr (13/04/1980); Edward ‘Eddie’ McDonagh (01/11/1995) and his wife Mary Christina McDonagh Jnr (08/11/1998); husband and wife Martin Joseph McDonagh (23/03/1981) and Rosaleen Marie McDonagh (21/08/1981) and their son Patrick Christopher McDonagh Jnr (06/12/2001).
These men and their wives were prosecuted following an RSPCA investigation into the illegal puppy trade2016 image of Francie McDonagh. Source: Bucks Free Press
Eleven members of the extended notorious McDonagh clan – all Irish travellers – have been convicted of animal cruelty offences and fraud after trading puppies illegally from the council-funded Ellen Ridge travellers site in Hartridge Farm Road, Newport NP18 2NH.
The six men pleaded guilty to fraud and all 11 admitted an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
The case against the vile criminal family involved hundreds of puppies sold to the public under false pretences
The unscrupulous and greedy family made hundreds of thousands of pounds by conning members of the public into believing the puppies they were buying were much-loved pets when in reality they were being bred and traded like “commodities”
They falsely advertised the pups on popular Facebook pages and used dozens of fake emails, addresses, names, and staged photos showing the pups “at home” to hoodwink prospective purchasers.
The RSPCA-led operation found that most of the dogs and puppies, many of whom had health issues, had been imported from Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Ireland, while some had been bred in Wales. Others had been stolen
They had advertised and sold at least 40 different breeds of dogs, including Cavalier King Charles spaniels, pugs, beagles, miniature dachshunds, American pocket bully, shihpoos, French bulldogs, cavapoos, chihuahuas, labradors, rottweilers, German shepherds and whippets.
The callous and morally bankrupt family also dealt in stolen animals.
The offences were committed between January 1, 2020, and March 31,2021.
Many of the pups had been imported from countries which included Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic.
The scam was uncovered thanks to a vigilant vet who reported his concerns to the RSPCA. Police had also been called to the Ellen Ridge travellers site following a violent disturbance and undertook a search of the premises.
The total value of the illegal puppy operation is estimated to have netted more than £500,000 with the McDonaghs pocketing around £300,000 in undeclared income.
A judge at Swansea Crown Court said the fraud had been sophisticated and carefully planned. It involved the transportation of animals likely bred in East European puppy farms into the UK. Some puppies had been bred in Wales and kept in dirty and unsanitary conditions.
The judge told the defendants their motivation had been financial and little regard had been paid to the welfare of the animals involved.
RSPCA prosecutor Hazel Stephens told the court the investigation started after a vet became suspicious that a man had taken three litters of puppies into the surgery using the same phone number but calling himself by different names.
The vet contacted the RSPCA, who launched an investigation called Operation Earth. This involved analysis of Facebook adverts and messages, phone records, financial transactions, and details of dogs’ microchips and vets records.
The investigation led to the Newport-based McDonagh family being identified as being behind an operation involving cross-border transportation, breeding, and the sale of puppies and dogs on a large scale.
The investigation revolved around the activities of five couples:
John Paul McDonagh and Mary Louise McDonagh of Laburnum Drive Newport NP19 9AL
Francie Gabriel McDonagh and Angela Christina McDonagh of George Lansbury Drive, Newport NP19 9DS
Patrick Christopher McDonagh Snr and Mary Christina McDonagh Snr of Moorland Park, Newport NP19 4NB
Edward McDonagh and Mary Christina McDonagh Snr of Maesglas Street, Newport NP20 3BU
Martin Joseph McDonagh and Rosaleen Marie McDonagh and their son Patrick Christopher McDonagh Jnr all of 114 Maesglas Crescent, Newport NP20 3BY.
The court heard that the RSPCA applied for search warrants for a number of addresses in Newport but before they could be executed “there was an intervening event”.
On April 12, 2021, police officers responded to an emergency call at a property in Caerau Road, Newport, about “five Irish men” trying to kick their way into a property and asking for “the dogs”.
The men dispersed before officers arrived but a review of CCTV footage showed the group had been using two vehicles – a white Ford Transit van and blue Ford Focus car – and the vehicles were soon picked up by a police helicopter.
As a result of that information police officers went to the Ellen Ridge travellers’ site in Newport and two suspects who were identified from the CCTV footage were arrested.
The court heard that in the minutes between the men arriving at the site and police turning up at the gate the two males had swapped clothes and had started to shave their heads “presumably with the intention of evading detection” – those men were Eddie McDonagh and Patrick Christopher McDonagh.
Entrance to the Ellen Ridge travellers site in Newport
While at the site police saw a number of dogs and puppies that were kept in poor conditions and who did not appear in the best of health.
Some 21 dogs and puppies were removed from the premises and four of those were found to have been stolen.
The barrister said all the evidence gathered as part of Operation Earth showed the McDonaghs were advertising pups for sale on four of the main puppy selling sites – FreeAds, Pets4Homes, Preloved, and Gumtree – and the adverts were worded to make it appear that the dogs were from home-bred litters and were socialised and healthy puppies when in reality the defendants were trading puppies and dogs “like commodities with no care for their health or welfare”.
She said veterinary records acquired by the RSPCA “demonstrates the ill-health and frequent breeding of a number of dogs”.
Some of the puppies sold by the McDonaghs were found to have microchips from Poland, Hungary, Belgium, the Czech Republic, and Ireland. In some cases they had been taken to vets in the UK to make them look like dogs from Britain before then being mixed with other puppies from different origins – thereby further increasing the risks to their welfare.
On one occasion two of the McDonagh couples – Martin Joseph and Rosaleen Marie along with Eddie and Mary Christina – were stopped by officers from the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs at the Port of Dover with Dachshunds from the Czech Republic and Hungary in crates in their vehicles.
Martin McDonagh told an animal welfare officer that he and his wife had seen the pups while travelling on the Continent “on business”.
The passports for the puppies were in the names of Anthony Francis McDonagh and John Paul McDonagh. The prosecutor said five of the imported dogs were subsequently abandoned when it transpired they needed veterinary attention.
The court heard that as part of the investigation the RSPCA collected details of all the microchips implanted in the puppies and dogs in the case, traced the date the chips were implanted and to whom they were registered, and the details of who subsequently then sold the animals.
The results of this analysis showed the links between the movements of the puppies between the various members of the McDonagh family.
The investigation also showed that as well as many puppies having been imported some were being bred on the travellers’ site and other dogs were stolen.
The McDonaghs’ Facebook adverts were designed to dupe people into believing the puppies they sold had been bred in a loving home environment.
One read:
“This stunning little tri-coloured cavalier king Charles spaniel pup is now ready to leave for his new homes. We have one boy available he is very loving affectionate pup that likes to play and have cuddles. He has been raised in our family home with our kids and he is well socialised. Mum is our family pet and can be seen with pup”
while another was worded:
“I’ve come to the very sad sale of my beautiful beagle. He is four months old I have had him since he was eight weeks but I hate to say this but my circumstances have changed and I sadly cannot have him no more I am so upset about this as I really do love him but I can no longer give him the time that he deserves and has forced me into putting him up for sale”
The prosecutor said analysis of Facebook adverts and messages and of phone records showed the defendants had used 41 different residential addresses, 47 mobile phone numbers, and 39 email addresses during the puppy-selling scam.
It is estimated that between January 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021, a total of £532,300 worth of dogs were advertised for sale online and the prosecutor said for the purposes of the case the value of the fraud was put at £300,000.
The court heard 20 victims of the scam had given statements to the RSPCA and between them they had paid the McDonaghs more than £30,000 for what they believed were socialised and healthy pups from a family home.
A number of those puppies subsequently required vet treatment with some being diagnosed with pneumonia, some with campylobacter, giardia; two puppies were diagnosed with parvovirus.
The prosecutor said many of the purchasers had been left with large vets bills.
Judge Geraint Walters said there was “carefully coordinated action” where the use of multiple properties, different vehicles and different vet practices had been used, along with false adverts, false documentation and various mobile numbers.
Ms Stephens said there were two sets of victims in the case: the puppies themselves and also the purchasers who suffered “considerable expense and considerable emotional upset through the illness and in some cases death of the puppy”.
She said the defendants “exploited the emotional vulnerability of potential purchasers, some of whom had small children excited about their new member of their family”.
The court heard that as part of the investigation an analysis was carried out into some of the bank accounts belonging to the defendants and “multiple deposits of large quantities of cash” were identified as well as multiple income transactions from “third parties”.
The court heard Patrick McDonagh Snr had 10 bank accounts and saw payments into his accounts totalling more than £120,000 a year while receiving a legitimate income from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and child tax credits accounts of approximately £16,500 per annum.
Francie McDonagh had a turnover in his bank account of £96,800 between December 12, 2019, and August 12, 2021, with cash deposits of in excess of £8,600 and third-party transfers of more than £76,000.
John Paul McDonagh had income from the DWP accounting for £18,310 of a total turnover of £63,122 with more than £14,000 directly referenced to “dogs”.
Martin McDonagh’s Halifax account saw cash deposits of almost £56,000 and only £64,000 of a turnover of £167,331 could be accounted for by DWP transactions.
Martin McDonagh, Francie McDonagh, Patrick McDonagh Jnr, John Paul McDonagh, Patrick McDonagh Snr, and Eddie McDonagh all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and to failing to meet the needs of puppies in the their care under Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Rosaleen McDonagh, Angela McDonagh, Mary Louise McDonagh, Mary Christina McDonagh Snr and Mary Christina McDonagh Jnr all admitted failing to meet the needs of puppies in their care under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Heath Edwards, for Martin McDonagh, said the operation had been “unsophisticated” and said only a “fraction” of the dogs sold had been unwell. He said the criminality lay in misrepresenting the animals as home-bred and purchasers got “the same pet just not exactly the one they thought they were buying”. He said his client was a hardworking father-of-six and a good neighbour and he said they were his instructions that the defendant “has no available funds”.
Clare Wilks, for Patrick McDonagh Snr, said the father-of-six had been alcohol-dependent for more than 20 years and battles with his addiction on a daily basis. She said the defendant had been a scrap car dealer and said while the prosecution put the figure of the fraud at £300,000 that cash had been shared between members of the “family network”. The barrister said the defendant “led a rather solitary lifestyle” with his family, had depression and anxiety, and was “something of a closed book” in regard to opening up about the difficulties in his life.
Clare Wilks, for Eddie McDonagh, said the defendant had joined the conspiracy when it was already in existence and said his role had been limited to transporting puppies between locations including importing five puppies from the continent. She said the defendant was on medication for depression.
Andrew Taylor, for Francie McDonagh, said his client had been a roofer but when his work dried up due to Covid he became involved in the puppy conspiracy. He said the defendant was expecting his fifth child in June and was “extremely fearful” of the outcome of the case. The barrister added that “if chivalry exists it exists in his family” with the males taking responsibility and pleading to conspiracy while not guilty pleas on behalf of the females had been accepted by the prosecution.
Steve Burnell, for John Paul McDonagh, said the defendant had been involved in the buying ang selling of vehicles prior to the Covid pandemic and regrets getting involved in the puppy operation. He said the father-of-two was on anti-anxiety medication and was not currently in work.
James McKenna, for Patrick Christopher McDonagh Jnr, said his client had been aged 18 at the time of the offending and had been involved in the sale of some of the dogs. He said the client was married and had a one-year-old daughter and was keen to improve his literacy skills.
Andrew Kendall, for Mary Christine McDonagh Snr, said the defendant had no previous convictions and was the sole carer for her children.
The barrister also represented Mary McDonagh Jnr and said on her behalf she been present at Dover with her husband Eddie when dogs had been imported into the UK.
Stephen Donoghue, for Rosaleen McDonagh, said a report before the court concluded the mother-of-four presented a low risk of reoffending and it had not identified any rehabilitation needs on her part.
Rhodri Chudleigh, for Mary Louise McDonagh, said the mother-of-two was suffering with depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Timothy Evans for Angela McDonagh, said the defendant was heavily pregnant with her fifth child and had dedicated her life to raising her family. He said his client had spent the last three years “agonising” over what would happen to her and her husband and said it was fair to say that she approaches the next year or so with “terror”.
Judge Geraint Walters said the background to the case was the dog population of some nine million animals in the UK and the buying and selling of around 800,000 puppies every year.
He said the McDonagh family fraud had been a sophisticated and carefully planned operation involving the transportation of animals likely bred in East European puppy farms into the UK as well as the breeding of pups in Wales, the keeping of animals in dirty and unsanitary conditions, a range of documentation, and the use of multiple emails, names, and addresses.
He told the defendants their motivation had been financial and they had paid little regard to the welfare of the animals involved. He said the puppy breeding selling had caused “unspeakable distress” to its victims.
The judge noted that in the cases of the female defendants the maximum sentence available at the time of the offending was one of six months in prison for a summary-only offence though that maximum had subsequently been increased to five years. However he said he was bound to pass sentence having regard to the law as it applied at the time and would effectively sit as a district judge to exercise the power to sentence a summary-only matter.
Following the sentencing RSPCA Inspector Kirsty Withnall, said: “We’d very much like to thank all those who helped us bring this case to court, from Gwent Police, veterinary practices, witnesses, Newport Council trading standards and The Animal and Plant Health Agency. The heart-breaking reality of puppy farming is that the welfare of the puppies comes second to making money.
“The sums of money involved are just eye-watering; and it’s another reminder of how unscrupulous this trade can be; and how dangerous poor breeding and trading practices are for dogs, pups and unsuspecting consumers. For anyone looking to buy a puppy, rather than adopt – we urge them to do their research, know the signs of an unscrupulous breeder and use tools such as the Puppy Contract to avoid becoming another victim of the puppy trade.”
Gwent Police constable Bianca Robson-Mallet, who was the officer in charge of the warrant, said the force works closely with the RSPCA in animal cruelty cases and said colleagues had been receiving “intel” for a few months prior to the warrant.
PC Robson-Mallet later rehomed one of the dogs seized during the operation.
Sentencing |
Martin Joseph McDonagh: three and a half years in prison Patrick Christopher McDonagh Snr: three and a half years in prison Francie Gabriel McDonagh: three years and two months in prison John Paul McDonagh: three years in prison Eddie McDonagh: 20 months in prison Patrick Christopher McDonagh Jnr: 18 months in prison.
They will each serve up to half those sentences in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community.
Rosaleen Marie McDonagh, Angela Christina McDonagh, Mary Louise McDonagh, Mary Christina McDonagh Snr, and Mary Christina McDonagh Jnr were each made the subject of a 12-month community order and were ordered to complete rehabilitation courses.
Mary Christina McDonagh Jnr was also ordered to do 180 hours of unpaid work, Mary Louise McDonagh was ordered to do 160 hours of unpaid work,
Rosaleen Marie McDonagh was fined £200, Angela Christina McDonagh was fined £200, and Mary Christina McDonagh Snr was fined £500.
The male defendants were banned from keeping dogs for 15 years while the female defendants only received a 10-year ban on keeping dogs.
Gannon, who was previously convicted of running an illegal venison supply plant, was prosecuted following a police investigation into his activities initiated in January 2020.
Searches were carried out at a property in the Castlederg area and in two food processing plants in Coalisland and Scotland. This led to a further investigation into money laundering.
In court Gannon pleaded guilty to various charges in relation to the possession of criminal property.
Detective Chief Inspector Wilson said: “We welcome the outcome and want to remind the public and any business owners that we will continue to tackle all types of criminality including wildlife crime such as deer poaching and money laundering, investigating reports accordingly.
“The investigations into Mr Gannon’s unlawful activity, were conducted collaboratively with partners from the Food Standard Agency, Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs, and Derry City and Strabane Environmental Health Council, which highlights our shared determination and commitment to disrupting these types of crime.
“Going forward, the local community is encouraged to report any similar incidents of deer poaching to police, to prevent this illegal activity taking place. I would also like to add that when investigating officers are considering wildlife crime other offences may be identified”.
Sentencing | 200 hours of community service; confiscation order for £6,000.
CONVICTED (2024) | Gillian Moir, born August 1997, and Adrian Ogg, born c. 1979, of Ramana Farm, Barthol Chapel, Inverurie AB51 8TB – kept numerous malnourished animals in poor conditions.
Gillian Moir and Adrian Ogg were given a 10-year ban after SSPCA inspectors found dead and dying animals on their farm
Farm worker Adrian Ogg and his partner Gillian Moir admitted keeping small animals in “squalid” conditions while sheep, ponies and goats were discovered in an emaciated state.
The Scottish SPCA carried out an investigation into the couple after receiving a report of concern about the wellbeing of a pony named Leo.
The pony, a 30-year-old Connemara gelding, was described as having a poor body condition and despite having a “bright demeanour” his eyes were yellow and jaundiced.
A vet determined that it would be difficult to pin the condition of the horse on one matter given the age of the animal but stated that “it is likely that the body condition had occurred over a period of time, likely three weeks if due to malnutrition, but possibly longer if an underlying condition was involved.”
They concluded that veterinary assistance should have been sought for the animal to check for the underlying cause of the poor body condition.
Two older sheep who were housed with Leo were also found to have bodies that were in poor condition, showing lethargy and struggling to stand up to be examined.
Each of the ewes’ front teeth were worn down to the gum line and both had to be euthanised.
A pygmy goat named Pepper was found dead at the farm.
A post-mortem was carried out and found that “a failure to seek veterinary treatment” and “failure to the poor body condition” of the animal resulted in his unnecessary suffering.
Investigators discovered two hutches partially covered with a blanket in a shed where most of their dogs were kept.
In the first hutch – which was described as “filthy” – they found the carcasses of three dead ferrets.
One live ferret with no access to food or water was found in the first hutch.
His condition was “weak, lethargic, extremely dehydrated” and he could not open either of his eyes, which were covered in pus and appeared to be infected.
He was taken to Donview Veterinary Centre where they tried to treat his condition, but the decision was taken to euthanise him on welfare grounds.
It was believed that the ferret would have died within the next 24 hours due to starvation and dehydration.
The vet’s opinion was that he had suffered for at least a week, though probably longer.
Within the second hutch they found the carcasses of two more ferrets.
Moir and Ogg each pleaded guilty to four charges of causing animals unnecessary suffering.
Moir’s lawyer told the court his client had become “overwhelmed” after taking in too many animals and struggled to effectively provide care for them.
He added that a lightning strike during a recent storm caused the pony to stop eating and that the sheep’s teeth were worn down due to their old age.
However, when it came to the condition of the ferrets, Mr Burnett conceded that they had been “forgotten about”.
“They had not been provided with food and water – that’s accepted,” he said.
Mr Burnett asked if a disqualification order was made, that it not include animals the couple breed and sell as part of their livelihood.
Ogg’s lawyer said her client had been working as a farm hand in Aberdeenshire for 20 years and “would not have been kept on to look after animals if he was not good at it”.
She added: “He accepts he has done wrong but a recent visit [from the SSPCA] appears to have shown some improvement.
“This is all he’s ever done and he would struggle to find other work.”
Sheriff Johnston told the pair that she believed it was necessary to make a disqualification order banning them from keeping certain animals.
“Your actions in failing to secure veterinary treatment caused these animals unnecessary suffering,” she said.
The sheriff described the condition the ferrets were found in as “frankly squalid” and had to be euthanised.
Sentencing | fined a combined total of £4,950. Banned from keeping animals for 10 years, excluding sheep, pigs, cats and dogs; disqualified from dealing in animals, except sheep and pigs.
CONVICTED (2024) | serial animal abuser Liam Reece Aiden Swift, born c. 2001, of McCrea Park, Clogher BT76 0AE – killed two dogs and is suspected of the brutal slaying of a third.
Violent career criminal Liam Swift admitted cruelty offences after two dogs were found dead.
He admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a dog on October 5, 2023, then to another dog on November 12, 2023.
Swift was under investigation for the death of a third dog who had been found with “horrific injuries” several months beforehand.
Dungannon Magistrates Court heard how Swift was arrested over a bail breach on November 11 and, because police knew he owned a dog, they attended his home to ensure she had food and water.
Officers found faeces everywhere and, when the dog didn’t appear, they began checking rooms.
The dog was discovered dead on a pile of rubbish in a cupboard, a chain tightly wrapped around her neck, cutting into the skin.
Then on November 15 police learned there was a second dead dog hidden in a hedge near Swift’s home.
A search revealed the decomposing body of a small dog wrapped in a blanket and placed in a bag.
Swift’s partner confirmed the small dog was hers and she had brought her to Swift’s home on September 23 while staying with him.
She claimed on October 5 another male arrived at the property and ecstasy tablets were produced, which fell on the floor, with her unnamed dog ingesting them.
The dog “became hyper” then fell asleep. However, she later noticed the dog was very wet and asked Swift if he had thrown water over her, which he denied.
The partner left the house for a time but later received a call from Swift claiming he couldn’t waken the dog and she “was in a bad way”.
On return she found the animal “cold and dead”.
She wrapped the dog in a blanket and the pair went outside to bury her. They had no shovel, however, so left the body in the hedge.
Two weeks after the death of this dog, the defendant purchased another dog, but contacted his partner on November 10 claiming he had run away.
The court heard: “This was the death of two dogs killed inside a month and the third dog within a year.
“There is already a live investigation into the death of another dog he allegedly killed in January 2023. Its injuries were horrific.”
A defence barrister said his client had a troubled and complex background. He said that while Swift had some family support, “that has been significantly displaced, particularly as a result of the visceral reaction from the community to these charges”.
“Those who operate outside the law have indicated to the defendant, in no uncertain terms, that he is not to return to his property in light of the views taken.
“Offending of this type will follow him around for the rest of his life.”
The defence conceded Swift is in breach of two suspended sentences but pointed out that neither relate to animal cruelty.
District Judge Michael Ranaghan remarked: “These dogs died horrible and potentially prolonged deaths. It was extreme cruelty to animals who do not deserve to be treated by anybody like that. Cruelty at its most apparent. It was appalling behaviour.”
The judge concluded: “It is my understanding that I can make the disqualification order banning owning any animal for life and that is what I will do. This man should not be around any animal going forward.”
Sentencing | eight-month custodial for the animal cruelty offences with a further two months added for the previously suspended sentences. Lifetime ban in relation to all animals.
Facebook animal welfare group Northern Ireland’s Voice for the Voiceless were contacted late last year by a Clogher resident after they published details of the Liam Swift’s prosecution. The resident set out in detail the nature of Swift’s cruelty to dogs.
CONVICTED (2024) | John Smedley, 56, born c. 1967, of Priory Walk, Haddington EH41 4AJ – illegally shot and killed deer.
Smedley confessed to killing the roe deer without permission in Morham, East Lothian, and also admitted to having the animal’s carcass in his home at North Berwick on April 23, 2023.
He also pleaded guilty to a third charge of possessing a Texan Air Rifle Lethal Load weapon without lawful authority.
Smedley, who has a previous conviction for the same deer hunting offence, was blasted by a judge after trying to claim that shooting the animals was deemed “acceptable” in the area.
Sheriff Matthew Auchincloss stated: “I live in East Lothian and I can tell you that it’s certainly not acceptable to poach these animals.”
Commenting on the terrifying firearm Smedley owned, the judge added: “I have seen a picture of the rifle you used. It would have looked like a sniper rifle to anybody who didn’t know what it was if they saw you walking around with it.”
Fining Smedley £800, Sheriff Auchinloss continued: “That’s so you know it’s not worth your while hunting for deer – it would be much cheaper to just buy a carcass.”
Defence lawyer Mark Hutchison said his client had grown up watching his grandfather and father hunt for deer without any repercussions.
He explained: “Mr Smedley tells me that in East Lothian, there’s a culture of this kind of thing being acceptable. Obviously it’s not acceptable. I told him he will get the jail for doing it again and he said he’ll never do it again. “He’s never had a custodial sentence before and other than this matter, lives a pro-social life, working seven days a week.”
Addressing Smedley, Sheriff Auchincloss said: “This is not acceptable and is a crime. It may have been more accepted in your grandfather and father’s time.
“But time changes the law. I am satisfied that the custody threshold has been met. However, as this is a summary matter, I can only send you to prison if there are no other alternatives.”
A motion by Procurator Fiscal to have the rifle and ammunition forfeited was granted.
A source close to Smedley, who works as a scaffolder, claims he hunted the animals “for fun” and would allegedly give away the meat or feed it to his dog.
They added: “He’s done this before and I’d be very surprised if he doesn’t do it again. This sentence absolutely does not send the right message of deterring others.
“Everyone in Haddington honestly expected him to get the jail for his cruel actions. Where’s the justice for these animals?”
All four deer species found in Scotland – red, roe, fallow and sika – are protected under the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996. Permission to shoot them must be granted by the authorities.
