CONVICTED (2022) | dog transporter Aaron Phillips aka Pat Dale, born c. 1983, of Riverside Meadows, Ballynahinch BT24 9WN – caught with 44 dogs in cramped, filthy cages in his van.
Professional dog transporter Aaron Phillips, who traded under the name AP Canine Transport, was prosecuted by the CPS in co-operation with animal welfare officers from Belfast City Council.
He pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to animals in relation to 44 dogs, including 28 puppies, found by police in two vehicles in Bordesley Lane, Redditch, on Tuesday December 8, 2020.
Phillips had transported the dogs, most of whom were from Northern Ireland, and stopped in Redditch to offload 16 of them.
He was accused of moving puppies under eight-weeks-old and which were not fit for the journey or in the company of their mother, according to court papers.
He was also charged with moving the pups in a way likely to cause injury or undue suffering and transporting 21 puppies/dogs without carrying documentation.
He was further charged with transporting a springer spaniel which was not fit for the journey and of moving dogs without authorisation from the competent authority.
The 44 dogs were in just 12 cages. The majority were not big enough for even one dog to travel in.
Some of the dogs were unable to stand up, sit or turn around and the floors of all cages were covered in a thin layer of sawdust which smelt of urine and faeces.
Phillips was initially arrested alongside three other men on suspicion of the theft of dogs alongside animal cruelty offences. Charges against the others were later dropped.
Police seized Phillips’ vehicle along with the dogs. A large sum of money was found in the vehicle.
Pcso Katie Hearnden Fellows said on the West Mercia Police neighbourhood alert system: “All the animals were seized under the Animal Welfare Act, and West Mercia took civil action against the owners of the dogs being transported.
“There were two civil court cases, whiUch saw West Mercia successfully retain all but two of the dogs seized.
“The remaining dogs were also rehomed through the Dogs Trust or with the help of foster carers within West Mercia Police, many of whom retained the dogs once court cases were concluded.”
Sentencing | eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 12-months. He was made to forfeit more than £20k cash found by police on his arrest under The Proceeds of Crime Act. Disqualified from transporting or arranging the transportation of any animal for three years.
Updates
Despite being banned from transporting or arranging the transportation of any animal until July 2025, Aaron Phillips continues to ply his pet transportation business on Facebook under the name KKC Couriers. He targets his services at unsavoury illegal bloodsports groups including Hare Coursing Crew. Screenshots below:
Cunt needs shot