CONVICTED (2022) | former pet shop owner Andrew Paul Garth, born March 1983, of Silwood Drive, Bradford BD2 3ER – starved animals and kept them in squalid conditions; stored the corpses of dead animals in a bin and freezer.
Garth, former owner of Allpets and The Bradford Birdman, was charged with causing unnecessary suffering to guinea pigs, rabbits and mice by failing to provide food and water.
An inspection by environmental health officers in January 2020 found animals living in awful conditions, with many of them having died because of a lack of food and water.
Dead animals were found in bins and the freezer storage area. Guinea pigs being mixed in enclosures with rabbits with no attempt at separating male and female animals. No records were kept for feeding or health checks.
Images taken during the inspection show dead mice being stored in a bread bag.
The case was exacerbated by the fact that Garth was providing college students with experience working with animals.
The findings were verified by a vet, who confirmed that animals were suffering or had died through a lack of food.
Garth, , who is married to convicted animal abuser Sara Garth ( née Turner), pleaded guilty to the charge.
Magistrates noted that he showed no remorse for his actions.
Handing down their sentence, Chair of the bench A Coward said: “This was the prolonged ill treatment of several animals.
“It caused death, serious injury and harm to animals. There was a high level of suffering, and we haven’t seen any remorse from you.
“The surviving animals were found in squalid conditions. All this while you were supervising college student to learn on work experience.
“The bench feels that this matter is so serious only custody will suffice.”
They took into account his previous good character and his guilty plea, although they gave limited weight to mitigation that Garth was suffering health issues.
Garth’s defence told the court they would be appealing the sentence, and Garth’s detention will be delayed pending the appeal.
Sentencing: 20-week prison sentence; £128 fine. Lifetime ban on keeping animals but may appeal after five years.
They should be punished and be banned for life not having any pets at all they are murderers , Also they should be in prison for longer than 20 weeks murdering scum
Absolutely Heart Breaking.
The sad thing is, you can keep those small pets cheaply and easily, and simply provide them with the Food and Water they require.
Why the hell keep a Pet Shop, if you are not going to feed them.