CONVICTED (2015) | puppy farm dealers Paula Amanda Wood aka Paula Keegan (12/07/68) and her partner James Brady (29/05/62) both of Springwood Avenue, Chadderton, Oldham OL9 9RR , Paula’s daughter Louise Anne Colwell aka Louise Donald (20/01/87) of Fields New Road, Chadderton, Oldham OL9 8NH, and her now ex-husband Kenneth Ryan Colwell (10/08/87) of Lynthorpe Road, Moston, Manchester M40 0JT, plus associates Thomas Patrick Greally (28/12/84) of Liberty Court, Farnworth, Bolton BL4 9HW, and his now ex-wife Stacy Jane Greally née McEwan (08/12/84) of Kirby Avenue, Chadderton, Oldham OL9 9PF
The gang were selling around 15 puppies from various breeds including chihuahuas, pomeranians, spaniels, shih tzus, and Yorkshire terriers for between £550 and £650 each – netting around £8,000 a week.
They scoured Europe for the young dogs – some of which had just days left to live.
They then faked pedigree documents, healthcheck cards and produced glossy brochures to trick potential buyers into believing they were buying healthy pets.
Yet 65 percent had life-threatening, congenital defects leaving dozens of animal lovers heartbroken.
An investigation into the three couples was launched by the RSPCA’s special operations unit, dubbed Operation Pagan, and Greater Manchester Police.
Addresses across Greater Manchester were raided in November 2013 after details from pet owners who had bought sick puppies from the gang.
Officers seized a total of 39 puppies kept in purpose-built pods at the rear of the addresses.
Sadly, six of the puppies were so unwell they had to be put down by a vet.
Two-thirds of the rescued pups had congenital problems.
Police also seized £3,500 in cash along with a step-by-step guide to puppy selling which spelt out how sellers would get £50 commission on each sale.
Jailing Thomas Greally and Kenneth Colwell both for 20 weeks, and James Brady for 10 weeks, a District Judge blasted the gang for their ‘remorseless attitude’ to the puppy trade.
Louise Colwell, Stacey Greally and Paula Wood were handed suspended sentences and ordered to carry out community service and pay costs.
All six defendants were banned from keeping dogs for the rest of their lives.
None of the defendants would reveal where in Europe the puppies came from.
Chief inspector Ian Briggs, from the RSPCA’s special operations unit, said: “This case is hugely significant.
“It shows the lengths some dealers will go to, making it look like the puppies they are selling have been bred in a homely environment.
“They produce glossy brochures, healthcheck cards and fancy-looking ‘pedigree’ documents that aren’t worth the paper they are written on.
“This investigation has shown puppy dealers are becoming increasingly savvy to make their dealings look legitimate.
“They rent houses and put a smattering of furniture in them to make it look like a family home, from which they peddle these sick puppies.
“On some occasions that we have been told about, adult dogs would be presented under the false pretence that they were the parents of the puppies being sold.
“It is organised crime and animal suffering on an almost industrial scale.”
Sentencing:
Thomas Greally and Kenneth Colwell – 20 weeks in custody
James Brady – 10 weeks in custody.
Paula Keegan – 12-week custodial sentence suspended for 12 months, 250 hours’ unpaid work, £1,000 costs.
Louise Colwell and Stacy McEwan – 20 weeks’ custody suspended for 12 months, 300 hours’ unpaid work, £2,000 costs.
All six defendants were banned from keeping dogs for the rest of their lives.
Lets Hope Its A Clear Message, to scum such as this.
Absolutely disgusting on every level