CONVICTED (2023) | puppy farmer Geraint Ronald Woolcock, born 12 August 1978, of 28 Lon Beili Glas, Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen, Ammanford SA18 1PN – kept multiple dogs in a poor environment.

Geraint Woolcock, also a known wildlife persecutor who was previously prosecuted for badger baiting offences, was convicted of cruelty to multiple dogs.

Woolcock caused unnecessary suffering to two dogs by failing to provide them with timely and appropriate veterinary care for an eye condition, while his failure to provide vet care for skin and eye conditions caused four dogs to suffer.

He also caused unnecessary suffering to another dog after not providing timely and appropriate vet care for difficulty in giving birth.

He also did not ensure that 15 dogs were provided with a suitable environment including space, light, heat, ventilation, appropriate bedding and/or which was hygienic, and didn’t provide a rabbit with a suitable environment.

He had pleaded not guilty to six offences under the Animal Welfare Act – but was ultimately found guilty of five of the offences.

RSPCA inspector Keith Hogben attended the address after receiving a call from South Wales Police.

He said he was shown four puppies who were found in a small small brick outbuilding attached to the house and added: “The puppies were kept on soiled newspaper, no bedding, the shed heavily smelt of urine and faeces with little ventilation, there was a bowl of dried food.”

The dogs were examined by a vet, who confirmed that their environment was unsuitable.

A tan/black giant rabbit was was in a poor environment with a hutch that was too small with no bedding and just a small amount of water.

The vet said in a witness statement that the hutch was so small “the rabbit struggled to turn around in the hutch.”

Four lurchers were found in “total darkness” in a shed that had water present and some clean shavings on the floor.

Despite the dogs being in good bodily condition the housing was “completely inadequate size and lacked light and ventilation”.

The vet added: “I was immediately struck by the smell of urine due in part to the number of animals in such a small area and the lack of ventilation.”

Another shed contained three dogs, two terrier type dogs and a Bedlington type dog, where the vet deemed that they were living in a poor environment.

Another shed was examined which contained dog runs inside and included very little natural light coming in.

In the first run in the shed were three lurcher type dogs, water was present, but there was no bedding.

In a second run there was a Dachshund type dog. There was no water and the dog had access to the rest of the shed where there were hazards including metal mesh.

In run three there was a spaniel type dog inside a metal puppy crate that was in labour, and there was a dead puppy beside her. There was no bedding for this dog and she was unsupervised.

Inspector Hogben said: “The vet said he needed to examine this spaniel straight away and she was carried outside into the daylight and placed on a blanket.”

Following an examination it was discovered that a puppy was stuck in the birthing canal and needed to be taken to a vet straight away.

RSPCA rescue officer Ellie West who had arrived on site then took this dog for immediate attention.

At sentencing the court made a deprivation order in relation to the dogs that were seized, transferring them into the RSPCA’s care.

It is understood that an appeal has been lodged.

Sentencing | 12-month community order of 100 hours of unpaid work; £1,000 court costs and a £114 victim surcharge. Banned from keeping dogs for three years (expires June 2026).

In Your Area
South Wales Guardian