CONVICTED (2023) | puppy farmer/trafficker Tom Paul Mongan, born c. 1995, of 4 Mill Pond Glen, Poleglass, Dunmurry, Belfast BT17 0XX – tried to transport 16 puppies from Northern Ireland to England by squeezing them into the boot of his car.
Irish traveller Tom Mongan – head of a notorious gang of puppy breeders and traffickers based in the Poleglass area of Dunmurry, Belfast – pleaded guilty to being the keeper of 16 puppies to whom he caused unnecessary suffering.
Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard he was stopped on October 1, 2020 as he attempted to board a ferry to Liverpool.
Harbour Police officers discovered and seized a total of 16 puppies, including chihuahuas, spaniels and beagles, within the boot of his Ford Kuga.
“They had been squeezed into two crates that were too small, lying on top of each other,” a prosecution lawyer said.
“Several pups were in a small blue plastic crate, lying on a filthy pillow covered in faeces.
“There was no food or water available for the puppies for the eight-hour journey in which the defendant would have no access to the vehicle.”
Veterinary examinations established that at least some of the dogs were less than six weeks old and showing signs of disease.
One of the animals who appeared particularly weak was diagnosed with water on the brain and later had to be put to sleep.
A vet stated that the pups should not have been sold until properly weaned and vaccinated.
Even at that stage any transportation should have been by the shortest possible ferry crossing, the court was told.
Defence solicitor Adrian Harvey said his client had been distressed by photographs of the seized puppies.
“Mr Mongan would say that he was engaged in doing this simply for money,” he submitted.
“Other family members asked him to embark on this journey, he had no experience whatsoever with dogs and no knowledge of their requirements and needs.”
Mr Harvey added: “It was very distressing to go through those reports, and he accepts full responsibility for what he has done.”
District Judge George Conner told Mongan that the offence carried a maximum penalty of 12 months imprisonment.
“This is a very serious matter,” he stressed.
Despite the judge’s stern warnings, Mogan walked free from court with a community service order.
Sentencing | 100 hours of community service; ordered to pay £680 towards costs. Disqualified from owning dogs or transporting any animals for a 10-year period (expires May 2033).
Additional Information
Tom Mongan is one of four defendants facing prosecution for cruelty to animals in Scotland.
The allegations are that he kept four ill pets at a property in Glasgow’s Shawlands and Tollcross between December 2020 and February 2021.
Court papers say that he failed to keep the dogs in a clean condition and a suitable environment.
It is stated that he did not vaccinate dogs Bella, Albi and Freya – all now deceased – as well as “a number of other dogs.”
Some of the animals were described as having worm burden, poor coat and body conditions as well as parvovirus.
Tom’s siblings William Mongan, born c. 1983 (address tbc), and Brigid Mongan, born c. 1993, of 11 Brians Well Grove, Dunmurry, Belfast BT17 0YQ face similar charges at the Tollcross property between the same dates.
The parvovirus which the dogs allegedly suffered from is what ended their lives, the charge states.
Brigid Mongan faces a further allegation of causing a dog named Reggie unnecessary suffering at the Shawlands property on the same dates.
Reggie is stated to have had a poor coat and body condition, parasitic infestation, haemorrhagic diarrhoea as well as parvovirus.
A final charge states the trio as well as co-accused Ellie Marie Mongan (Tom Mongan’s wife), born c. 1993,, caused unnecessary suffering to dogs at a property in the city’s Ibrox between January and February 2021.
The dogs are also said to have been suffering from similar symptoms such as parasitic infestation and parvovirus.
The four pleaded not guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court.
At time of publication, the trial is ongoing with the ring’s most recent court appearance being in April 2023.
Who could not realise how cruel they were being to tiny puppies or imagine it was not illegal ? Pathetic defence.
thats my uncle fuck up bitch
How awful to be related to a thing that could treat puppies like that, you have my sympathy.
Oh,he’s been convicted again hasn’t he. Hope he enjoys prison.