CONVICTED (2016) | puppy trafficker Robert Brownlie, born 27/01/1977, of Woodside Crescent, Newmains, Wishaw ML2 0NA
Brownlie – a known associate of notorious Irish puppy farmer Raymond Cullivan – pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering by failing to provide protection from disease, namely canine parvo virus, to two cockapoo puppies, as well as failing to provide a cockapoo puppy with veterinary treatment contrary to the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006.
Brownlie also pleaded guilty to failing to meet the needs of a dog and seven puppies in his care.
Furthermore Brownlie pleaded guilty to offering for sale animals as pets, namely cockapoo pups, without the relevant license, contrary to the Pet Animals Act 1951.
An undercover inspector said: “We are extremely pleased with the outcome of the case especially with regards to lifetime disqualification order.
“This sentence sends out a strong message to anyone who is involved in the puppy trade that the courts are taking these activities seriously.
“It is rare that lifelong disqualifications are handed out. This prosecution was brought about as part of Operation Delphin an on-going Operation to combat the illegal puppy trade.
“The Special Investigations Unit of the SSPCA is working alongside partner organizations to tackle this multi-million pound industry including ISPCA, USPCA, DSPCA, RSPCA, HMRC Trading Standards, Stenaline, Police Scotland Port unit and APHA.”
“The pups involved in this case, including Pomeranians and cockapoos, would have undoubtedly have been bred in a puppy farm in Southern Ireland, as a result they will have been reared in very poor conditions will little or no socialisation and due to the stress of their upbringing and the transportation and changes in environment, their immune system is very low.
“Once these pups reach their new owner via the dealers they often develop diseases such as Parvo Virus and giardia and with specific regard to this case this can result in extremely high vet bills.
“Often these pups will die from these diseases. This is extremely distressing for the new owners.”
“Trafficked pups often look fine when they are purchased, but problems will begin to show at a later stage by which time money has exchanged hands and the selling agent is long gone.
“If you have purchased a puppy that shows any signs of illness or distress take it to the vet immediately.
“We are pleased that Brownlie has been dealt with by the court and that this case of puppy trafficking and neglect has been rightly recognised with a lifetime ban.”
Sentence: 240 hours’ unpaid work; £2,880 in fines; banned for life from keeping animals
Update June 2017
In June 2017 Scottish newspaper the Sunday Mail reported that Brownlie was targeted along with others including Lauren Cullivan and Christopher Gorman by HMRC in an operation to crack down on the flow of designer puppies from Ireland to UK ports. It was revealed Brownlie owed £500,000.
Update March 2020
On 2 March 2020, the Daily Record reported that Brownlie had been caught on camera boasting about the millions of pounds he made from selling farmed puppies.
Brownlie told protesters from Scotland Against Greyhound Exploitation (SAGE) outside Shawfield greyhound racing track he made a £20million fortune selling pomeranian and cockapoo puppies – all without a licence.
A member of SAGE said: “Brownlie was walking into the stadium with a group of pals when he spotted us and came over.
“He spelled out his name and then said he’d made millions from puppy farming while us ‘saddos’ were standing out there. When I got home, I looked his name up on the internet and was disgusted by what I read.”
The SAGE member added: “We have cameras on our banners because of the abuse we get. Brownlie was boasting and goading us. It’s rare that lifelong bans on keeping dogs are handed out but I’m not surprised he got one.”