Travellers Hames and Price, who are based in Raglan, Monmouthshire but have links to Derby and Hereford, were convicted of multiple animal welfare offences after prolonged neglect at a property in Leominster.
The case involved dogs, cats, horses, a duck and a guinea pig, all kept in conditions that failed to meet even the most basic welfare standards.
Both initially denied the allegations but changed their pleas to guilty on 1 September 2026.
The couple were found responsible for depriving the animals of adequate food, fresh drinking water and a suitable living environment.
Several of the animals were underweight, living in poor conditions and suffering from a lack of appropriate care.
Price also admitted separate offences relating to two horses — Moonshine, a piebald cob mare, and Mimi, a bay Dartmoor-type mare — whose welfare needs were not met due to inadequate hoof and dental care, parasite issues and malnutrition.
The prosecution was brought by the RSPCA, who described the animals as having suffered “significant neglect” while in the couple’s care.
Sentence
Court: Hereford Magistrates’ Court — 29 September 2026 Hames: 10‑year ban; community order (10 days of rehab); £50 fine; £114 surcharge; £350 costs; deprivation order for all five dogs. Price: 10‑year ban; 150 hours of unpaid work; £114 surcharge; £350 costs. Ban Expiry: September 2036 (no appeal for five years) Prosecutor: RSPCA
At a Glance
Defendants: Joeline Cathlyne Violet Hames (born c. 1980), Noah Hendri Amos Price (born c. 1983)
Address: Abergavenny Road, Raglan, Usk NP15 2AA
Occupation: Price — scrap‑metal collector, gardener and home improvements
Robert Walker and Lynne Chetter, operators of MHS Horse Disposal, convicted of multiple Animal Welfare Act offences.
Case Summary
Sick, elderly and vulnerable horses sent to MHS Horse Disposal for humane euthanasia were instead left to suffer in appalling conditions.
Environmental health officers and the RSPCA found carcass bins overflowing, equines left loose in fields in distress, and other animals — including a blind duck with a broken leg and an injured turkey — kept in filthy, untreated conditions.
Underweight pony seized from MHS Horse Disposal alongside other neglected equines.
Several horses were so underweight and neglected that vets ordered immediate euthanasia.
The business operates from Streetway Farm in Norton Canes, Cannock, Staffordshire, a site already known for serious animal welfare concerns due to its long‑standing association with circus big cats kept in cramped, inadequate conditions.
The defendants’ neglect occurred in a commercial setting where animals should have had a dignified end.
Offender Overview
Robert Walker
Name: Robert Walker
Born: 10 October 1946
Age at Conviction: 79
Last Known Address: Friezland Lane, Brownhills, Walsall WS8 7DA
Investigations by Animal Defenders International documented big cats confined to grubby transport containers, limited exercise, muddy quagmire conditions, and inadequate space — all while the site also hosted an abattoir marked “MHS Horse Disposal.”
This background reflects a pattern of poor welfare standards at the premises.
On 5 July 2024, environmental health officers and the RSPCA attended the knacker yard and found:
Blind duck left in a filthy hutch with a broken leg at MHS Horse Disposal
Body bins overflowing with carcasses, forcing horses intended for euthanasia to be left loose on fields in distress.
Ernie, a dark bay stallion, severely underweight, suffering hoof issues, and with no teeth — euthanised immediately.
Beach, another stallion, extremely thin with ribs and spine visible; later diagnosed with motor neuron disease and euthanised.
Four more underweight equines left grazing in fields:
Elizabeth (elderly mare)
Buttercup (bay filly)
Two Shetland ponies with severe hoof deformities
One Shetland’s back hooves had twisted like corkscrews, spiralling around despite her still being mobile.
A blind duck with a broken right leg left in a filthy hutch.
A turkey with a large untreated wound on its back.
Both birds were euthanised at the scene.
A vet concluded all equines had suffered due to inadequate environment, diet, body condition, dental neglect, hoof neglect, parasitic issues, and lack of timely euthanasia.
The sentencing judge described the conditions as “appalling” and the neglect as “prolonged”, occurring in a commercial setting where animals should have had a dignified end.
Animal Victims
Ernie — dark bay stallion; underweight; hoof issues; no teeth; euthanised immediately.
Beach — stallion; extremely thin; motor neuron disease; euthanised.
Elizabeth — elderly mare; overgrown hooves; dental issues left untreated for two years; euthanised after a year in RSPCA care due to lameness.
Buttercup — bay filly; underweight; lameness; euthanised months later.
Two Shetland ponies — severe hoof deformities; both euthanised.
Fate of animals: Multiple equines euthanised due to suffering; others died or were euthanised after rescue due to chronic neglect.
Sentence
Court
Stafford Crown Court
Date
17 September 2026
Penalty
Robert Walker:
15 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 24 months
12‑year disqualification from owning all animals except dogs
15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days
£187 victim surcharge
£200 costs
Lynne Chetter:
10 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 24 months
12‑year disqualification from owning all animals except dogs
15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days
£187 victim surcharge
£200 costs
Mitigation
Walker: elderly, poor health. Chetter: limited mitigation noted; responsible for birds found suffering.
RSPCA Statement
Inspector Laura Baker described the scene as “horrifying”, with vulnerable horses left alive and suffering despite being sent for humane euthanasia. She emphasised that knacker yards must be held accountable for the way they conduct their business and cannot leave animals waiting to be dispatched in pain. She thanked Cannock Chase District Council and West Midlands Police for enabling the prosecution.
World Horse Welfare Field Officer Charlotte Melvin said the case “really stands out” due to the heartbreaking discovery of horses trusted to the yard for humane euthanasia who were instead left alive and suffering considerably.
Billie Taylor leaving Aberdeen Sheriff Court after admitting causing unnecessary suffering to her dog Rocco, who died following weeks of starvation caused by an untreated intestinal obstruction. Image: DC Thomson / Press & Journal
Case Summary
Mum‑of‑five Billie Taylor, 29, allowed her one‑year‑old Shar Pei American Bulldog, Rocco, to suffer for weeks after he ingested a corn on the cob that became lodged in his intestine.
Rocco became severely emaciated, dehydrated, and lethargic, and was starved of nutrition for several weeks to months.
Taylor delayed seeking veterinary help until the dog was in an “extremely poor condition”, and Rocco was euthanised to end his suffering.
A second dog, Bear, was also found underweight and in poor condition.
Taylor pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering and failing to meet her animals’ needs, and was banned from keeping animals for five years.
Offender Overview
Name: Billie Taylor
Born: circa 1997
Age at Conviction: 29
Last Known Address: Gordons Mills Crescent, Tillydrone, Aberdeen AB24
Occupation: Unknown
Previous Convictions: None reported
Additional Information: Claimed her life was “in chaos” caring for five children, five dogs, and a litter of puppies; appeared unconcerned when told the SSPCA had been contacted.
Incident Details
On 2 October 2025, the SSPCA received a call from Swan Veterinary Practice in Aberdeen reporting that Taylor had brought in her dog, Rocco, in an “extremely poor condition”. Taylor told the vet Rocco had been vomiting bile for around five days.
An inspector observed Rocco’s spine, hips, and ribs protruding, and noted he was:
severely emaciated (body score 1/9)
dehydrated
lethargic
severely underweight at 11.2kg — less than half of the expected healthy weight for his breed
repeatedly vomiting during examination
Taylor claimed Rocco had only lost weight over the past five days and was still eating normally. The vet strongly disagreed, stating Rocco had been severely underweight before becoming unwell.
The vet suspected a foreign body or peritonitis. Rocco’s condition was so severe that he was euthanised to end his suffering.
A post‑mortem found a corn on the cob lodged in his intestine, causing a chronic and significant obstruction, stomach distention, and regurgitation. The vet concluded Rocco had suffered a chronic lack of nutrition over several weeks to months, inconsistent with Taylor’s account.
A second dog, Bear, also a Shar Pei American Bulldog, was found underweight with a body score of 3/10 and was seized by the SSPCA.
Taylor pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering and failing to provide for her animals’ needs.
Animal Victims
Rocco
Species: Dog
Breed: Shar Pei American Bulldog
Age: 1 year
Condition: Severe emaciation; dehydration; chronic intestinal obstruction; repeated vomiting; body score 1/9
Fate: Euthanised
Photos: Not available
Additional Notes: Corn on the cob caused chronic obstruction; prolonged malnutrition.
Bear
Species: Dog
Breed: Shar Pei American Bulldog
Age: Unknown
Condition: Underweight; body score 3/10; poor general condition
Fate: Seized by SSPCA
Photos: Not available
Sentence
Court
Aberdeen Sheriff Court
Date
September 2026
Penalty
5‑year ban on owning or keeping animals
Community Payback Order with 12 months’ supervision
Mitigation
Taylor’s solicitor stated her life was “in chaos” caring for five children, five dogs, and a litter of puppies.
Sheriff Findlater accepted she did not intend deliberate harm but said the suffering was a consequence of her chaotic circumstances and failure to seek timely veterinary care.
Tom and Lauren Rice, who were banned indefinitely from keeping animals after dogs were found living in filthy conditions at their Lichfield home.
Case Summary
A couple from Lichfield have been banned indefinitely from keeping animals after dogs were found living in filthy conditions at their home on Reynolds Close.
Body‑worn camera footage from Lichfield District Council showing a dog confined inside a small metal cage during the inspection.
The investigation began following a tip‑off about the property, leading to the discovery of severe neglect and unsanitary living conditions.
Offender Overview
Names: Tom Rice and Lauren Rice
Age at Conviction: not known
Last Known Address: Reynolds Close, Lichfield, WS13 7NY
Previous Convictions: None known
Additional Information: Investigation initiated by Lichfield District Council’s environmental health team after reports of animal neglect.
Incident Details
Council officers attended the property with a veterinary surgeon and found dogs confined in cages covered in faeces, with mouse droppings in and around them.
Footage recorded by Lichfield District Council shows the filthy conditions inside the Reynolds Close property, where dogs were found confined among faeces, mouse droppings and with no access to water.
Dog faeces were also discovered in a box on the kitchen worktop and across several downstairs rooms. The animals had no access to water and were living in conditions described as “completely unacceptable.”
Two dogs were removed from the property and taken to kennels for care and rehabilitation.
Animal Victims
Species: Dogs
Number: Two
Condition: Underweight, dehydrated, and living in unhygienic surroundings
Fate: Safely removed and received veterinary care
Sentence
Court: Cannock Magistrates’ Court
Date: 8 September 2026
Penalty:
12‑month Community Order
10 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days
Fines and costs totalling £734 each
Indefinite disqualification from keeping animals
Mitigation: None reported
Council Statement
Cllr Richard Cox, cabinet member for community and public protection at Lichfield District Council, said:
“The conditions these dogs were living in were completely unacceptable. Our officers worked with a veterinary professional to ensure they were safely removed and cared for, and this prosecution demonstrates that we will act where animal welfare laws are being broken.”
This case exposes a deeper problem within local authority enforcement — the uneven approach to animal welfare across the UK.
Lichfield District Council acted decisively: they investigated, prosecuted, and secured an indefinite ban. But many councils do not.
Across England and Wales, enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 depends almost entirely on local priorities and resources.
Some authorities treat cruelty reports as serious criminal matters; others dismiss them as “civil issues” or pass them to charities already stretched thin. The result is a postcode lottery for animal protection — where the fate of a neglected dog can hinge on which council boundary it happens to fall within.
Lichfield’s environmental health team deserves credit for taking action. Their response shows what can be achieved when councils treat animal welfare as part of community safety, not an optional extra. But the wider picture remains troubling: many councils still fail to investigate or prosecute, even when evidence is clear and suffering is severe.
Until enforcement becomes consistent nationwide, cases like this will continue to depend on luck — on whether the right officer, in the right district, happens to care enough to act.
Connor James Stewart, who kept three dogs starving and living in extreme filth inside his Livingston flat.
Summary
Three dogs — Dobermans Ammo and Karma, and Staffie Kya — were found starving, dehydrated and living in extreme squalor inside Connor Stewart’s flat.
The living room inside Stewart’s flat — torn furniture, debris, filth and hazardous conditions where the dogs were forced to live.
Floors were thick with faeces, rooms soaked in urine, smashed glass scattered throughout, broken furniture everywhere, and shock collars charging in the kitchen.
Stewart fled with two dogs when confronted by inspectors. He was fined £200 and banned from owning animals for five years.
Offender Overview
Name: Connor James Stewart
Born: 30 November 1997
Age at Conviction: 28
Last Known Address: 19 Hazel Grove, Livingston EH54 5JW
Occupation: Backyard Doberman breeder; former director of The Tug Doctor 24/7 Recoveries Ltd (company now dissolved)
Previous Convictions: None known
Additional Information: Fled with two dogs during SSPCA intervention; deprivation order issued for Ammo and Karma
Incident Details
Scottish SPCA inspectors attended Stewart’s flat in December 2023 after concerns were raised about the welfare of three dogs in his care. The stench was detectable through the letterbox before entry.
Inside, inspectors found:
floors soaked in urine
thick layers of faeces, some moulding
smashed glass across rooms
broken furniture
shock collars charging in the kitchen
empty, bone‑dry food and water bowls
A Doberman puppy moments after being removed from Stewart’s flat — dehydrated, underweight and desperate for water.
Dobermans Ammo and Karma, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier Kya, were all underweight, dehydrated, and suffering from neglect. Ammo’s ribs and hips were clearly visible; nails were overgrown. Kya drank desperately when offered water.
Stewart arrived at the flat, removed two dogs, and fled — resulting in a deprivation order for Ammo and Karma. Kya was taken for veterinary care.
The SSPCA described the conditions as “some of the worst the inspector had found animals living in.”
Sentence
Court: Livingston Sheriff Court
Date: 15 July 2026
Penalty: £200 fine
Mitigation: None recorded
Disqualification: 5‑year ban on owning or keeping animals (expires July 2031)
Victims
Ammo
Breed: Doberman
Age: Unknown
Condition: Underweight, ribs and hips visible, overgrown nails
Fate: Subject to deprivation order
Karma
Breed: Doberman
Age: Unknown
Condition: Underweight, dehydrated
Fate: Subject to deprivation order
Kya
Breed: Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Age: Unknown
Condition: Severely dehydrated, smelled strongly of urine and faeces
Fate: Taken into SSPCA care
Additional Information:
Fled with two dogs during SSPCA intervention; deprivation order issued.
Stewart promoted dog‑walking services while neglecting his own dogs.
As recently as January 2026 he publicly advertised dog walking and training services (“Northern Strides Dog Walking & Training”) despite keeping his own dogs in squalid, starving conditions.
CONVICTED (2026) | Colwyn Robert Probert, born 13 November 1987, of Kingsmoor Common Caravan Park, Kilgetty SA68 0YF – illegally trapped wild goldfinches in his garden and confined them to overcrowded, filthy cages.
Pembrokeshire traveller Colwyn Probert received a 15-year bird-keeping ban and a suspended prison sentence after being prosecuted for illegally trapping and cruelly confining dozens of wild goldfinches.
Probert, a traveller, was prosecuted following an RSPCA raid at a property in The Glebe, Tenby, where inspectors uncovered dozens of goldfinches and other wild species held in captivity.
The case began when a rural crime officer from Dyfed-Powys Police flagged suspicious activity regarding wild birds being trapped in a residential garden.
When RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Ellie West and police raided the location, they discovered a severe hoarding and trapping operation:
Over a dozen goldfinches and a mule-type bird were locked in an outdoor aviary.
An additional 14 birds were cramped inside tiny cages within an adjacent room.
Three live-traps, metal identification rings, and ring cutters were seized on-site. One trap had been actively deployed next to a garden bird feeder.
The RSPCA noted that the birds exhibited severe distress, frantically flying into the cage bars in an attempt to escape.
An ornithological expert confirmed the birds were wild-caught, pointing to their dark leg coloration and injuries.
Several birds had sustained severe beak damage from striking the bars, and one had lost its tail. The expert concluded the birds had been kept in illegally overcrowded, filthy conditions without access to clean water.
During sentencing, the District Judge noted that the birds were likely trapped for commercial sale, telling Probert:
“You put wild birds who should be free and wild in unsuitable cages, which must have been extremely stressful for them.”
The seized birds were taken into RSPCA custody and transferred to the Mallydams Wood Wildlife Centre in East Sussex. After undergoing rehabilitation, they were successfully released back into the wild.
Following the trial, RSPCA Inspector Keith Hogben condemned Probert’s actions, stating that the birds were “treated like commodities” rather than living creatures.
He reminded the public that under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it remains strictly illegal to deliberately kill, injure, or capture any wild bird without a specific license.
Sentencing | eight-week custodial suspended for two years; six-month curfew; 28 days of ‘rehabilitation’; £400 in prosecution costs and £154 victim surcharge; confiscation of all seized traps, cages and bird rings. A 15-year disqualification from keeping birds.
CONVICTED (2026) | Billy J J Woodhouse, born 24 July 1998, owner of Hatton Boarding Kennels, 4 Wolverhampton Road, Shifnal TF11 9HP – allowed multiple dogs in his care to die from severe neglect and starvation.
In January 2026 Billy Woodhouse was arrested after a police raid of his boarding kennels uncovered a burial mound containing the emaciated remains of nine dogs. Investigations revealed the causes of death were tied to severe neglect and starvation.
Surviving dogs were removed from the site by a dog warden and a local animal rescue charity.
Woodhouse had previously had his operating license suspended by Shropshire Council in December 2022 due to concerns about his compliance with licensing conditions.
According to various social media reports, several Romanian rescue dogs staying at the kennels had either died or gone missing in the months leading up to this event.
Despite no longer being licensed to operate a boarding kennels, Woodhouse continued to take bookings, dismissing bad online reviews as “rubbish” when questioned by owners.
Then, in August 2024, the council’s licensing department received a complaint from the owner of a dog named Stewie, who was put down following a stay at the kennels.
In police statements the owner said she had learned about the kennels from adverts online which said the business was licensed.
The woman said that when she collected Stewie on August 12, 2024, Woodhouse handed the animal over wrapped in a towel with only his face visible.
Woodhouse told her Stewie, who was around seven or eight years old, had been unwell for a few days, but that he had not taken him to a vet.
The owner took Stewie to her own vet where he had been seen one month earlier and assessed as healthy.
But now he was found to have a flat injury on his face, scabs on his tail, abscesses on both hind legs and yellow staining to his white fur. He was put down soon after.
“He had lost a lot of weight,” the owner said. “I could see his bones. He wouldn’t lift his head. He wasn’t breathing properly, he was very subdued.”
The vet said Stewie’s pressure wounds were “consistent with laying in one position for 24 hours”.
Woodhouse was prosecuted ifor animal welfare and fraud in early 2025 and pleaded not guilty.
But in November 2025, while he was awaiting trial, another woman whose pet had died at the kennels contacted the authorities.
The woman said she paid £96 to leave her dog, Enzo, at Hatton Boarding Kennels in August 2025, but days later she was told he died there.
A third woman left her dogs, Bruno and Nala, in Woodhouse’s care on four occasions between the summer of 2023 and New Year’s Day 2026.
The court heard the woman had noticed negative reviews of the kennels and mentioned them to Woodhouse but he had dismissed them as “rubbish” and “made up over minor issues”.
For the most recent stay, over last Christmas, she was promised regular photo updates from the kennels but was not provided with any.
Upon collecting her pets in the new year she noticed they were “dirty and visibly skinny”. She estimated one of the dogs had lost “about a third of her body weight”.
Around the same time, Woodhouse had taken in 11 dogs belonging to a woman who was suffering severe mental health issues and was unable to look after them herself. Some of the animals had been rescued from abroad.
In January 2026 a social worker became concerned the woman was at risk of being exploited financially, and made several attempts to contact Woodhouse.
On January 14 she called West Mercia Police.
The following day officers entered Hatton Boarding Kennels where a sniffer dog discovered a makeshift burial area. Police exhumed the bodies of nine dead dogs., believed to be the vulnerable woman’s.
Three cats, who were alive, were also found and taken to a rescue.
Surviving animals returned to their owners were found severely emaciated (some losing up to a third of their body weight), dirty, dehydrated, and suffering from untreated injuries and abscesses.
Woodhouse later admitted to animal welfare offences, fraud, and operating without a license after subsequent inspections.
Mitigating for Woodhouse, Martin McNamara said his client had taken on running the business after the death of his mother and had “good intentions” but “became overwhelmed”.
He said that his client had “significant mental health issues” and was “not capable of running the kennels”.
Mr McNamara said Woodhouse is the sole carer for two family members and has been threatened by people in relation to the case.
The facility at 4 Wolverhampton Road, Shifnal, is completely shut down and no longer permitted to operate or take animal bookings of any kind.
Sentencing | 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months; ordered to pay £1,000 towards court costs and a £187 victim surcharge. He is legally disqualified from keeping or owning animals for a decade but can appeal after five years.
CONVICTED (2026) | backyard breeder Matthew Mark Andrews, born 9 May 1995, of Henry Street, Neath SA11 1PG – for severe animal starvation and neglect, resulting in the euthanasia of a pregnant dog.
Matthew Andrews is banned from owning animals for a decasde following his callous neglect of a dog who died from extreme emaciation and a twisted intestine.
In an RSPCA prosecution case, prolific backyard breeder Matthew Andrews pleaded guilty to failing to address the severe weight loss, chronic skin infection, and deteriorating condition of five-year-old Shar Pei-cross, Pandora.
Pandora was extremely underweight with her spine and ribs clearly visible.
Vets found Pandora completely emaciated with a body condition score of one out of five. Her muscle wasting was so severe that an advanced, near-term pregnancy of seven to nine puppies went completely unnoticed until a medical scan was performed.
Pandora was found with severe muscle wasting, a skin infection, and an undetected near-term pregnancy.
Pandora underwent emergency surgery for a twisted intestine but had to be euthanised due to post-operative complications and her chronically weakened state, resulting in the loss of her unborn litter.
Greeder Andrees used social media to flog countless puppies.
Following sentencing, RSPCA Deputy Chief Inspector Gemma Cooper said: “This is a very sad case with a tragic ending for Pandora and her puppies.
“All animals deserve to be treated with kindness and should have their needs met.”
Sentencing | 12-week custodial, suspended for 12 months; 20 days of ‘rehabilitation’; £400 prosecution costs. Disqualified from owning or keeping any type of animal for 10 years (expires July 2036).
CONVICTED (2026) | backyard breeder Alan Crawford, born 9 April 1997, of South Kinmel Street, Rhyl LL18 1BU – starved and neglected a dog, leading to his death.
On an unknown date Crawford, who goes by the nickname ‘Spud Crawford’, was handed a suspended 26-week prison sentence for causing unnecessary suffering to a dog called Pablo. The charges were that he failed to provide the dog with a suitable diet and failed to protect him from pain, suffering, injury, or disease.
The dog did not survive.
Pablo
Crawford then breached his suspended sentence by committing further crimes.
Crawford pleaded guilty to assault by beating against a woman, believed to be his own mother, on Vale Road, Rhyl. He also pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of Class A drugs (cocaine and cannabis).
The court activated his original 26-week animal cruelty sentence and added 10 consecutive weeks for the new offences, resulting in a total jail term of 36 weeks. He has been banned from owning animals but the duration of this isn’t known.
CONVICTED (2026) | husband and wife Gary J Hopkins and Eden Samantha Hopkins, née Eden Edwards, with a last known address of Vanderlin Court, Kirkmuirhill, near Larkhall ML11 9ZL – operated a horrific illegal dog boarding business from their home.
Eden and Gary Hopkins ran a “horrific” unlicensed dog boarding establishment from their home and mistreated animals in their care.
A Scottish SPCA Inspector attended the Hopkins’ addresss in the village of Kirkmuirhill in July 2025 after being contacted by the owner of a 12-year-old lurcher named Monty.
Monty was returned to his owners limping, saturated in dried urine, and suffering from severe, infected leg wounds.
The elderly pet had been returned to the woman in a state of distress, with huge open sores on his legs, and saturated in urine. Veterinary examination showed Monty’s hocks had infected wounds and been drastically swollen for several days.
Inside the property, the inspector discovered seven dogs kept in cramped, broken, and stacked cages with no bedding or access to water. The room was extremely warm and the dogs were panting heavily.
The inspector said: “I was absolutely shocked at what we saw and the conditions they we kept in. The dogs were petrified and cowering away. They had tried to cram as many dogs as possible into each cage.
“One cage had a doberman and a collie so badly confined their legs were tightly intertwined and they couldn’t move at all. The base of their cage was wet and sticky, and they had no access to water.
“Stacked on top, was another small cage containing a Staffordshire bull terrier. The dog’s head, nose and tail were touching the bars on all sides, he had no space to stand and turn.
“Another cage held four dogs. The environment was completely unsuitable, and it was horrific to see.”
When released from their cages, the pets were frantic. They passed copious amount of urine, indicating that they had been left in the cage for a long period of time.
The dogs were seized and taken to a Scottish SPCA centre .
All were scanned for microchips, and six were returned to their owners. The remaining dog, a pug named Bella, belonged to the Hopkins. She was kept for ongoing treatment, and later signed into the care of the society.
The Scottish SPCA Inspector said: “Both showed complete disregard for the dogs in their care, causing them and their owners, significant distress and suffering.
“They showed the Hopkins cannot responsibly take care of their own dog, let alone run a dog boarding business.
Gary and Eden Hopkins pleaded guilty to breaching animal welfare legislation and were given a paltry two-year ban on owning or keeping dogs.
The Scottish SPCA inspector added: “While we welcome the sentencing, we are concerned that without a longer-term ban, they will go on to get other animals and subject them to similar circumstances.”
Sentencing | Eden Hopkins: 60-day restriction of liberty order Gary Hopkins: 160 hours of unpaid work. Two-year ban in relation to dogs only (expires June 2028).
Eden Hopkins is originally from Ayr and retains family links to the town (her parental home is in Caledonia Road, KA7 3HU.
The couple have also lived in Blairdardie, Glasgow G15 6JY and Yoker, Glasgow G14 0NE.
The couple, who are also believed to be backyard breeders, have shown little remorse for their shocking cruelty to helpless dogs and have apparently bragged that they will move to a new area and “start again”.
We collate data on animal cruelty convictions in the UK
