CONVICTED (2017) | puppy farmer Rocky Dino Knight, born 19/05/1981, of Masefield Drive, Farnworth, Bolton BL4 – kept sick puppies in atrocious conditions before selling them on to families
Irish traveller Knight, a convicted paedophile previously based at the notorious Hall Lane caravan site in Farnworth, admitted six counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
The RSPCA launched an investigation in 2016 following a number of complaints from members of the public who had bought puppies that had fallen ill and, in some cases, had died.
During one raid, officers found two female dogs, a pug and a dachshund-cross, being kept in makeshift pens in an outbuilding in the rear garden.
Inspector Pippa Boyd said: “We found a crossbreed called Patsy and pug called Phoebe living in horrendous conditions in dark, dank and cold pens with no warm bedding or dry areas off the floor. It was a completely inhumane environment to keep dogs.
“Thankfully, we got to them in time and removed them. They were incredibly itchy and Phoebe had serious breathing problems. But they’ve been doing well in our care since and we have lovely new homes lined up for them.
“Sadly, we were too late for some, including a little puppy whose body we found wrapped up in a plastic bag at the house.”
Knight advertised the dogs online and passed himself off as a responsible, reputable breeder.
He offered to deliver puppies to new owners or arranged to meet them in car parks away from his home.
Knight’s lawyer said her client was ‘remorseful’ and accepted responsibility for his actions.
She said: “You probably have little in terms of positive feelings towards Mr Knight. He is remorseful and, in his words, he wishes he could turn the clocks back.
“He accepts his culpability. He did not go out there to intentionally sell families sick puppies. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
“From looking at the puppies, he could not tell they were sick but he accepts that he is responsible and had not taken care of them appropriately.”
The dogs that were cared for by staff at the RSPCA’s Warrington branch have already found new homes.
Insp Boyd said: “This should be a major flag to anybody looking into buying a puppy.
“A genuinely responsible breeder who has the best interests of their dogs in mind will be happy for you to visit the puppies in the environment they were born and see them interacting with their mother, siblings and people.
“We would advise anyone thinking of getting a puppy to first consider adopting a dog from a rescue centre.”
Sentencing:
16-week jail term; £150 victim surcharge. Disqualified from keeping animals for life.