CONVICTED (2019) | backyard breeders Jason Coates, born c. 1975, Cherylea Coates born c. 1979, and Albert Coates, born 11 September 1988, all of Moreland Avenue, Colnbrook, Slough SL3 0LR – for shocking cruelty to the dogs and puppies in their care.
The Coates family, who are from the settled travelling community and run a skip-hire business, kept five dogs and two puppies in unsuitable conditions. The trio were prosecuted following a warrant executed at their home by Slough Borough Council’s resilience and enforcement team.
Neighbours had raised the alarm after hearing continuous barking and noticing the dogs were never taken out for exercise.
Officers visited the family’s home in Moreland Avenue in December 2018 and found a shed in the front garden and two cages in the back garden.
One cage was home to two Jack Russell puppies and their mother who belonged to Albert Coates.
It was believed three puppies had already died and the surviving young dogs had to make do with unsuitable bedding and a lack of blankets in wintry conditions.
Their food and water was also found to be contaminated.
A Jack Russell cross Chihuahua, a Chihuahua and two Cocker Spaniels belonging to Jason and Cherylea Coates were also discovered.
The couple contested surrendering the animals and a court order had to be obtained while their nephew voluntarily surrendered his dogs to the care of the council.
All the dogs have since been rehomed and nursed back to health.
The trio appeared for sentencing at Reading Magistrates Court on Friday, August 9, 2019, after each admitted a charge of neglect under Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Albert Coates admitted an additional charge of causing unnecessary suffering under section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
All offences took place on December 18, 2018.
Sentencing: all were ordered to pay a total of £400 in fines, costs and charges and were disqualified from owning or keeping an animal for a minimum of two years (possibly expired).