CONVICTED (2023) | illegal puppy farmer Patrick Terrence Finn, born April 1983, of 103 Ennislare Road, Armagh BT60 2AX – kept 49 dogs in ‘inadequate, unsuitable and squalid conditions’
Finn was given a total of 80 hours community service for keeping 49 dogs, including 17 puppies, in atrocious conditions.
The local authority, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, described Finn’s shoddy business as “one of the most serious cases of illegal puppy farming and neglect that we have come across”.
The illegal puppy farm operation was exposed in November 2021 when Animal Welfare Officers and Dog Wardens from the council carried out a joint investigation at the defendant’s property.
Inspectors searched a shed and discovered 29 dogs of mixed breeds kept in foul-smelling and filthy conditions with no water or food.
Some were found in pens with heavily soiled bedding while others were kept in pens with bare concrete slabs. There were obvious signs of neglect, with the majority presenting with severely matted hair and overgrown nails.
As the investigation continued, a further three bitches and 17 pups were discovered in a separate poorly-ventilated outbuilding containing heat lamps with no natural light and no food and water. They too were found in appalling conditions, which exposed them to high levels of infectious and parasitic disease.
All dogs were immediately removed from the property after a vet assessed them to be suffering and in need of proper treatment and care. All dogs were subsequently rehomed with loving families.
Finn pleaded guilty to operating a breeding establishment without a licence contrary to Regulation 4 of The Welfare of Animals (Dog Breeding Establishments and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013. He also pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering and failing to ensure the welfare of animals under Sections 4 and 9 of the Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 2011.
Finn could have faced imprisonment for a period of up to six months and a fine of up to £5,000 for operating a dog breeding establishment without a licence. Instead he was ordered to cover the cost of the dogs’ care in rescue, a sum of £2,560, and was given no jail time.
Speaking after the court ruling, USPCA Chief Executive Nora Smith said: “We have strong custodial legislation available to the courts yet this individual walks away with a slap on the wrist. It is deeply frustrating and concerning.
“We need to give harsher sentences to send out a clear message, that as a society we will not tolerate or stand for animal cruelty enforcement and strong sentences are the only things that will stop and deter individuals who are inflicting the worst levels of animal cruelty.
“This was a case the USPCA had been closely investigating and it was great to see the response from the Council. In order to catch and stop more of these puppy farmers we would ultimately like to see better partnership working between the USPCA and our local Councils.”
A council spokesperson said: “This is one of the most serious cases of illegal puppy farming and neglect that we have come across in this council area to date. Hopefully this case brings into sharp focus the need for the public to work closely with the council to take action to stop animal abuse and combat the cruel trade of puppy farming.
“Anyone who truly loves dogs or animals in general needs to understand that using an unlicensed breeder to purchase a pet is effectively supporting an illegal business, often without any consideration of the welfare and environmental needs of the animals being sold.
Sentencing | 80 hours of community service; total of £2,890 in costs. Disqualified from owning animals for five years (expires July 2028).