CONVICTED (2024) | Stephen Buxton of the Breach Cottage, Breach Lane, Sudbury, Ashbourne DE6 5HH, Susan Heath of 61 Foss Road, Hilton, Derby DE65 5BJ, and Oliver Lucas of Sudbury Park, Sudbury, Ashbourne DE6 5HU – ran an unlicensed puppy farm on which 28 dogs and puppies were kept in filthy and unsanitary conditions.
Susan Heath and Stephen BuxtonOliver Lucas
In 2020 officers from South Derbyshire District Council were notified that dogs were being bred at the family home of Stephen Buxton without the necessary breeding licence. When council officers contacted Buxton, he denied this but was reminded of the legal obligations.
In 2021 council officers received intelligence that dogs were being sold on social media by owners using different names, but all based at Buxton’s address. A court warrant was obtained by the council and officers visited the premises on June 7, 2022.
A total of 28 adult dogs and pups were found in agricultural buildings at the site.
Conditions were found to be cluttered and dirty, with extensive faecal and urine contamination. The premises was infested with flies and a dead rat was sighted .
The odour in the building was described as overpowering.
All of the dogs at the site were observed to be anxious, wary and in some cases afraid of contact with humans.
Using powers granted under animal welfare legislation, council officers seized the dogs and transported them to a local kennels. Veterinary examination determined that they had all been neglected for a lengthy period
Three weeks after the warrant, all of the dogs were signed over to the legal control of the local authority.
All of the animals were returned to full health and were found permanent homes.
Following the council’s investigation, three people were charged with offences relating to unauthorised breeding of dogs and animal welfare offences. All three pleaded guilty to these offences.
Stephen Buxton admitted one offence of causing unnecessary suffering, nine offences of failing to ensure welfare and two offences of breeding without a licence. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 190 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £114 victim surcharge and £5,000 contribution towards the prosecution costs.
Oliver Lucas admitted two offences of causing unnecessary suffering, three offences of failing to ensure welfare and one offence of breeding without a licence. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 100 hours unpaid work, ordered to pay a £114 victim surcharge and £2,000 contribution to the prosecution costs.
Susan Heath pleaded guilty to breeding without a licence and was fined £180. She was also ordered to pay a £72 victim surcharge and £400 towards the prosecution costs.
District Judge Flint remarked that they had prioritised money over animal welfare and should be ashamed of the conditions in which they kept the dogs. . He held Buxton as most responsible and the chief protagonist, as it was his property and he clearly knew that he should have been licensed. The judge commented that if he had been found guilty after trial, he would have looked at sending him to prison.
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) | 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.
CONVICTED (2024) | Yassar Hussain, born May 1986, of 46 Aldred Street, Rotherham S65 2AL – left a Belgian Shepard in pain with multiple untreated injuries.
The two-year-old dog, named Deli, had extensive scratches and bites on all four limbs and infected wounds on her front legs. These had been present for several days. She had also reportedly birthed a litter of puppies just days before, who all sadly died.
Deli’s owner, Yassar ‘Yass’ Hussain, sole director of vehicle recovery firm S60 Recovery and Transportation Ltd, admitted one offence contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006 at a hearing in December, 2023.
The court heard how Hussain had taken the injured dog to a PDSA clinic in Sheffield on June 30, 2022. The examining vet subsequently contacted the RSPCA over concerns for her welfare.
In a written statement, RSPCA Deputy Chief Inspector Sara Jordan said Deli was “in lean body condition” when she saw her five days later. She noted “extensive wounds on both front legs – notably a large open wound on her right foreleg and an open, draining abscess to the armpit region of her left foreleg”.
DCI Jordan added: “She was on pain relief and antibiotics and had a lot of criss-cross scratches and bite wounds to all limbs.”
Speaking to DCI Jordan on the same day, Hussain said four days before he took Deli to the vet, she was jumping up at him and playing. He said she then gave birth at a property on Sheridan Drive, Rotherham on 28 June 2023 and it was at that point he noticed a wound on her right foreleg.
The PDSA vet said in a written court statement: “On examination she was underweight with milk expressible from all nipples. From the size of the nipples I would suspect this was not the first litter of puppies.
“The fur coat was matted with purulent material and other dark matter over the entire body. She was clearly uncomfortable on both forelimbs despite having pain relief overnight.
“The left forelimb was very swollen and purulent material was dripping down it. Several wounds were visible over all four limbs, not all fresh. The largest wound was present on the centre of the right forelimb near the elbow, which couldn’t be fully assessed conscious.
“I believe Deli was caused unnecessary pain and suffering by not having these wounds treated earlier, for this degree of swelling and purulent material these particular wounds had been present for several days most likely. All limbs, once clipped, showed wounds which appeared to be even older than the deep wounds present on the forelimbs.”
In mitigation the court heard that Hussain had since rehomed another dog he owned and it was to his credit that he did eventually recognise, albeit very late, that Deli needed veterinary intervention.
Deli, who was signed over to the RSPCA by Hussain during the course of the investigation, was cared for at the charity’s Hull & East Riding Branch animal centre. She made a full recovery and has since been happily rehomed.
Sentencing | 18-month community order, with 120 hours of unpaid work and up to 15 rehabilitation activity days; costs of £750. Banned from keeping a dog for 10 years.
CONVICTED (2024) | wildlife persecutor and backyard breeder Riley Jay Ronald Leigh-Shaw, born 16 April 2001, of Southern Cottages, Horton Road, near Stanwell, Staines-upon-Thames TW19 6AG – kept two lurchers, a Patterdale terrier and a Jack Russell in dilapidated and filthy outdoor cages.
Riley Leigh-Shaw, an animal abuser from the Spelthorne district of Surrey.
Surrey Police officers found the four dogs after conducting a warrant at an address in Stanwell on May 11, 2023. The animals, who all appeared neglected and malnourished, were kept in dilapidated wooden cages within the garden of the property.
Two of Leigh-Shaw’s dogs. All four were malnourished and kept in ramshackle cages full of rubbish and excrement.
The dogs were seized under section 18 of the Animal Welfare Act and taken to a vets for assessment. At least one of them needed urgent medical treatment.
In court, Leigh-Shaw pleaded guilty to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering and four counts of keeping the dogs in unsuitable conditions.
Investigating Officer PC Duncan MacKenzie said; “This was a shocking case where the dogs were kept in appalling conditions. Fortunately, the dogs have all now been placed in loving homes and will be able to live as they should.
“If you think someone is mistreating or neglecting animals in their care, please make sure to report it to us.”
Sentencing | 75 days in prison. Ten-year ban on owning animals.
CONVICTED (2024) | backyard breeder and wildlife persecutor Gregory Peter Cashmore, born 19 May 1985, of Churchill Road, Cheadle, but with strong family links to Longton Road, Knenhall, Stone, Staffordshire ST15 8TW and the Meir area of Stoke on Trent – allowed dogs to fight and left one so badly injured she had to have a leg amputated above the shoulder; failed to treat dogs injured during organised fights with wild animals.
Cashmore, a violent career criminal whose previous convictions include serious domestic violence and firearm possession, failed to take several injured dogs to vets for treatment. He was prosecuted by the RSPCA following an investigation.
One of the offences related to Star, a blue and fawn female French bulldog, who had been badly hurt while fighting with another dog.
Although Star received initial emergency treatment from a vet she was discharged with her owners failing to follow advice to follow up with further care. As a result, Star lost a leg above the shoulder.
Cashmore, ,whose father Darren Cashmore is a convicted badger baiter, also failed to meet the needs of a dark brindle bull lurcher known as Django and also failed to failed to arrange veterinary examination and treatment for a tan and white bull lurcher known as Thor, both of whom had injuries consistent with wild animal fighting.
In a statement provided to the court, RSPCA officer Jason Bowles, who led the charity’s investigation, said he entered the back garden in March 2022 after securing a police warrant via a side gate and saw a number of well-built kennels in good condition containing dogs.
Cashmore with notorious Stoke breeder and a convicted animal abuser in his own right, Alex Johnson who already has two separate entries on our database here and here. Johnson has rumoured links to dog-fighting rings.
One kennel held Thor, who had scarring to his muzzle and a swollen, inflamed joint to the right front paw.
Another kennel housed Django. He had scarring to his nose and muzzle and a healed lower jaw injury to the left side of his mouth.
Both Thor and Django were seized by police.
Cashmore with former partner Millie Moult. She was also prosecuted in relation to Star and sentenced in August 2023.
The court heard that inspector Bowles was then made aware of an incident on June 17, 2022 involving a French bulldog called Star – who he said he later recognised from being at the property on the day of the warrant. It was confirmed that Star sustained injuries after fighting with another dog.
In a written statement, attending officer Rachel Leafe said she met a woman who showed her Star. She said the dog looked ‘extremely lame on her left foreleg and was hardly weight bearing on it at all’.
She continued: “There was a discoloured fluid around the top of the left foreleg which was running down the leg and chest. The fluid looked very unpleasant. My first thoughts were that the injury looked infected.”
She asked the woman if Star had received veterinary treatment for the injuries and she showed her an email from a pet insurer authorising a claim which was dated June 15. 2022 and an email from a vet who saw and treated Star on June 5. 2022.
Inspector Leafe phoned the vets who confirmed Star was seen and treated – and they gave her initial emergency treatment and recommended that she was admitted for further treatment. However, this advice was not followed. Although it was said that Star went to another vet at a home address – no evidence of this was given.
It was agreed for Star to be taken for a veterinary examination by the RSPCA. After a full vet assessment it was found that she was suffering and was subsequently seized by police and placed into the care of the RSPCA.
In a written statement provided to the court, the vet who examined Star said: “In my experience the combination of staples and stitching present seems unlikely from a qualified experienced vet. The stitches removed of a thick black material, possibly cotton thread rather than recognised modern veterinary suture.
“Although some veterinary medicines (injectable antibiotics) and equipment (stapler) were at the premises it is my understanding that there were no oral medicines in appropriately labelled packaging or proof of veterinary care such as invoices presented to the inspector.
“In view of this, my findings and subsequent developments with the wound it is my professional opinion that this dog has been caused unnecessarily suffering from the June 7, 2022 onwards.
“The failure to seek professional ongoing prompt veterinary care (after the first initial treatment) with ongoing monitoring has resulted in a deep seated infection and bone pathology, directly leading to bone fracture and the necessity for urgent radical surgery.”
Cashmore is a prolific backyard breeder trading under the name Cash Bullyz
The court heard Star remained in intensive care from June 17 to July 4 while staff treated her for multiple infections. Sadly vets could not save her left foreleg which had to be amputated along with her shoulder blade in order for her to be saved. Star has since made a good recovery.
Cashmore flogs an item of equipment commonly used by dog fighters
Cashmore pleaded guilty to three offences under the Animal Welfare Act. In mitigation it was heard that Cashmore has “struggled with his mental health”.
Before being sentenced, Cashmore signed over all three dogs into the RSPCA’s care. Star, Django and Thor, who has been in kennels, can all now be rehomed.
Following the hearing, RSPCA officer Bowles, said: “Star and Django have been in RSPCA foster care and both have been doing really well; Star has adjusted well to life with three legs.
“Despite going through a lot she is such a lovely dog and has really settled in with her foster carers; I’m so pleased she can now start her new life. When you have a pet you are responsible for ensuring they get the correct veterinary attention should they injure themselves or become sick. There’s no excuse for leaving an animal in such pain.”
Sentencing | 22-week custodial term, suspended for 12 months; 20 days of rehabilitation activity; 150 hours of unpaid work; £600 in costs and a £128 victim surcharge. He was banned from keeping all animals for just five years (expires February 2029).
A second person, believed to be Cashmore’s now former partner Millie Moult, was sentenced in August 2023 after pleading guilty to one offence of causing unnecessary suffering by failing to follow veterinary recommendation to seek further professional veterinary treatment for the injuries Star had sustained.
She said she did not own Star or the dogs that caused her injuries and claimed she was told that others would be taking responsibility for Star. She was handed a 12-month community order with 100 hours of unpaid work and 10 RAR days and was ordered to pay £300 and a £95 victim surcharge.
In March 2023 Cashmore announced on Facebook that he was now in a relationship with a woman called Lea M Webb. Webb, who appears to be from Sale, Trafford, Greater Manchester. A photo of the happy couple suggested that the pair had at least one thing in common: a love for persecuting wildlife with dogs. Webb’s dog evidently bears scarring to his face, legs and body – all of which are injuries consistent with animal fighting most likely foxes and/or badgers.
Since Cashmore’s current relationship status on Facebook is ‘single’ these two may have gone their separate ways.
Additional Information
Following his animal cruelty conviction, a former neighbour of Greg Cashmore contacted us and alleged the following:
“A couple of years ago Cashmore and his then partner Millie Moult beat a puppy to death with a shovel. A neighbour came outside after hearing a dog screaming and saw them do it. The puppy was only about four weeks old. It looked like they were doing it for fun.
“The neighbour reported what she had seen to police but officers came out a week later, by which time there was no evidence that it had ever happened.
“No other witnesses came forward because everyone’s so scared of him.
“The neighbour was brave to ring police because that Greg is a full-on psychopath. He’s got a gun and tried shooting someone before.
“He is the type to set fire to his house with his own kids inside just to make a point.
“He pushed his ex, who he has two children with, down stairs while she had a new-born baby in her arms.
“He always gets off lightly because he makes a deal with the prosecution and grasses up drug dealers.”
CONVICTED (2024) | Nicola O’Neill, born 10 February 1984, and James McWilliams, born c. 2003, of Felden Place, Newtownabbey BT36 7FL – for the neglect and starvation of nine filthy bull-terriers who resorted to eating another already dead dog.
Evil backyard breeders James McWilliams and Nicola O’Neill abandoned 10 dogs with one being eaten by the others after dying
Mother and son Nicola O’Neill and James McWilliams admitted failures to ensure the needs of the severely malnourished animals were met but blamed a lack of money.
In March 2022 an animal welfare officer from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council attended the family home on the outskirts of north Belfast to investigate a report that a dead dog was being eaten by others.
The officer discovered a mixture of puppies and full-grown dogs, some severely underweight and kept in filthy pens without access to bedding or water.
“Through the fencing she could see a dead dog on the ground that appeared to be half-eaten,” prosecution counsel said.
Five pups, believed to be American XL Bully breeds, were being held in a crate in the kitchen area, covered in urine and faeces and with their ribs and spines clearly visible.
Some other dogs were in the back garden, close to the dead bull terrier.
Based on post-mortem examination and a lack of blood spattering on the ground, prosecutors believe he had already died when the others began to eat the remains.
All nine surviving dogs were seized and examined by the Council’s vet.
McWilliams later told the welfare officer he did not usually live at the property, but had previously helped his mother take care of the dogs.
He also claimed they were struggling for money to feed the animals.
Counsel added: “Before this incident he was advertising six-week old American XL Bully pups for sale on Facebook, believed to be the five puppies that were seized at the time.
With the costs of caring for the remaining animals now in excess of £2,000, they are all still alive and have gained significant weight since their seizure.
Defence barrister Jonathan Browne acknowledged the circumstances were “deeply unpleasant”.
“Any right-thinking member of the public will find the facts truly abhorrent,” he said.
Mr Browne told the court the dogs had belonged to O’Neill’s late husband James McWilliams Sr – a prominent member of paramilitary group the Irish National Liberation Army. The court heard that he lived elsewhere but visited every day to tend to the dogs.
After McWilliams Sr’s sudden death in August 2021 O’Neill “neglected to look after the dogs”.
He added that James McWilliams Jr had an emotional bond with the animals and felt that giving them away would be a disservice to his late father’s memory.
“It’s a romantic notion, but in reality it costs money,” Mr Browne submitted.
“He found himself wanting to care for them but financially not able to.”
Urging District Judge George Conner not to send either defendant to jail, Mr Browne predicted they will carry the stigma of offences with them for the rest of their lives.
Judge Conner told them: “For those who enter a responsibility to look after animals, a very high standard (is required).
“Unfortunately in this case you both failed very badly.”
Sentencing |
Nicola O’Neill: four-month custodial suspended for a year; £250 towards costs. James McWilliams: 100 hours of community service; £599 costs. Both are banned from keeping dogs for 10 years.
CONVICTED (2024) | backyard breeder and wildlife persecutor William Scott, born c. 1962 of 24 Elliot Crescent, Calderwood, East Kilbride G74 3ET – for cruelty to a snake and five ferrets over a two-month period.
Scott, who is originally from Prestonpans, East Lothian, admitted failing to provide adequate food, water and living conditions for the pets.
Scottish SPCA animal welfare inspectors found the snake to be emaciated and suffering from infected lesions.
One of the ferrets was also significantly underweight and had a skin condition associated with dehydration.
Scott’s solicitor described his client as a “lifelong dog breeder” and “some kind of authority on hunting type dogs”.
He added that Scott’s own living conditions at the time were “very poor due to his poor mental and physical health”.
He was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to his ferrets and snake, by failing to provide a suitably safe and clean environment for them to live in. His not guilty plea of causing unnecessary suffering to a lurcher-type dog was accepted by the court.
He was ordered to pay a total of £420 and banned from owning and keeping ferrets and snakes only. Sheriff Colin Dunipace rejected the prosecution’s request to have him disqualified from keeping dogs.
Speaking about their investigation, a Scottish SPCA inspector said: “On August 31, 2022, we received a call in relation to a property in Elliot Crescent in East Kilbride from a local authority environmental health officer.
“The caller noted a strong unpleasant smell emanating from the property and a large build-up of flies around the door of the property.
“They also reported that the ferret hutch was in poor condition, and the ferret himself was shaking.
“We attended the property the same day and upon entering the communal garden, we found a ferret within his hutch in extremely poor body condition.
“He was wobbly on his feet and was visibly shaking. The hutch itself was in very poor condition, with a large build-up of faeces, no bedding and lack of all other necessary provisions.
“Two water bottles were present but both were empty. A food bowl with old, congealed, soggy food was present but was clearly not fit for consumption.
“Concerns for the ferret were such that we made the decision to remove him immediately in order to obtain emergency veterinary treatment.
“The ferret was examined by a veterinary surgeon who confirmed he was in an emaciated body condition and was extremely dehydrated.
“The ferret required immediate hospitalisation, for fluids and rehydration therapy.
“A veterinary assessment confirmed that the ferret had been caused unnecessary suffering. The ferret remained hospitalised for approximately 48 hours before coming to one of our centres to recover.
“On gaining entry to the property the living conditions were of immediate concern.
“There was a significant build-up of rubbish, household items, and dirt and grime throughout.
“There was an obvious strong unpleasant smell, and flies swarmed throughout the property.
“A small metal cage within the living room housed four polecat-type ferrets.
“The cage was dirty, and completely inadequate in size for the animals within. There was water provided and the ferrets appeared to be in good body condition.
“In the room obstructed by hazards, a vivarium containing an adult female dwarf hog island boa constrictor type snake was found.
“The vivarium glass had a buildup of dirt and within the vivarium, there was a lot of shredded skin and a significant amount of faeces and urine.
“There was no water present and the snake herself appeared lethargic, and lean in body condition.
“Due to concerns for the body condition of the snake, arrangements were made for her to attend an exotic specialist vet immediately for assessment.
“It was noted she was thin and mildly dehydrated. She has lesions on her ventral scales and an infection on her tail.
“Her movements and reflexes were weak and she was cold to the touch.
“The vet concluded that the snake had been caused unnecessary suffering for months due to a combination of unhygienic conditions, starvation, untreated conditions and lack of veterinary care.
“The snake was prescribed a specific course of antibiotics and provided specialist care advice for her recovery. She was transported to one of our centres for ongoing care.
“We are pleased that Scott received this ban but we would have preferred the ban to include all animals and not just ferrets and snakes.
“Some of the ferrets have since been rehomed and the others are waiting to be rehomed.”
A lurcher dog, Astor, was also taken from Scott by the inspectors and rehomed pending the outcome of the court case.
Sentencing | fined £420. Banned from keeping or owning snakes and ferrets for five years (expires February 2029).
CONVICTED (2024) | backyard breeder and conman Timothy Ronald Springett, born October 1973, with a last known address of Whinfell Avenue, Ramsgate CT11 0QE – kept a Russian terrier in conditions that exposed him to the elements and allowed his fur to become severely matted and full of dirt and faeces.
Convicted fraudster Tim Springett repeatedly ignores the RSPCA’s advice to groom his dog and failed to provide him with a sheltered sleeping area.
Following an RSPCA investigation former company director Tim Springett, who was jailed for four years in 2015 for serious tax fraud and money laundering offences, was found to be in breach of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 in relation to the dog, called Barney. This states that owners must protect the animal from suffering by grooming regularly, and provide the animal with a safe and hygienic environment.
The weight of filth in Barney’s coat affected his mobility
Police seized Barney at Springett’s home, after finding him wandering in the garden clambering over mess and smelling of faeces.
The Russian Terrier was found to have been carrying an extra 21% of its body weight from the excess hair. The RSPCA shaved 7.8kg of matted fur, with staff suspecting it was a result of the dog being left to sleep outside, with no shelter or dry areas.
The dog had not been groomed for nearly two years despite the RSPCA making “several attempts” to encourage Springett to properly care for his pet.
Persistent liar Springett told RSPCA inspectors that he believed the breed did not need clipping.
In court he pleaded guilty to two animal welfare offences.
In a witness statement, investigating RSPCA Inspector Tina Nash said Barney was: “extremely matted, with big clumps of fur hanging off of him that appeared to be full of dirt or faeces and tightly bound to areas around his back”
Describing how the pet’s poor odour made her feel ill, Tina said: “The dog did not smell very nice and made me want to wretch.
“The environment was very untidy with lots of stuff everywhere and very dirty.
“I went into the back garden which was covered in faeces and very dirty.
“There were no dry areas for the dog.”
The vet who shaved Barney said: “The dog had been made to support a coat weighing approximately 21% of his body weight as he moved around. The weight of this coat would have risen considerably when the dog was wet. I am in no doubt that this would cause the animal physical stress as he moved.
“It is my professional opinion, based on the information provided to me, that the person responsible for the care of the dog had failed to provide the dog with a sheltered sleeping area with bedding. The person had also failed to groom the dog over many months and, as a consequence, had left him in a position where he was likely to suffer.”
During mitigation, Springett said that he loves dogs and has experience working with them, and claimed his ill-health was behind the issues.
Barney has been transformed after months of care by the RSPCA. Currently in private boarding, he will be made available for rehoming soon.
Sentencing | 12-month community order. Five year ban applicable to all animals (expires February 2029).
In 2015 Kimberley White, founder of The Retreat Animal Rescue, was given a conditional discharge after admitting illegally receiving 10 “malnourished” dogs from Tim Springett after he was arrested for fraud.
Kimberley pleaded guilty to handling three German and Belgian Shepherd dogs and seven puppies, all of whom were microchipped to Springett.
The court heard that while in custody Springett had asked his estranged wife to arrange care for the dogs, who were housed at his home in Whinfell Avenue, Ramsgate.
On his release from custody Springett discovered the dogs were missing and initially thought they had been seized by a landlord in lieu of non-payment of rent. But neighbours confirmed they had seen a van bearing the logo of The Retreat and a complaint was made to the police.
Kimberley’s lawyer told the court her client had spent £5,000 of her own money caring for the dogs, who she said were seriously malnourished.
She said: “Many of the puppies were close to death and she had wanted to care for them. She has now learned a harsh lesson.
“But she is a person who lives, breathes and sleeps her work looking after dogs. She made no money out of placing the animals. Her objective was to find them good and loving homes”.
The lawyer added that after some of the animals were later returned to Springett and after his jailing were given to the RSPCA and later put down.
The presiding judge, Heather Norton, gave Kimberley a conditional discharge and questioned whether her prosecution was in the public interest.
