CONVICTED (2024) | Wally David Beaney, born 15/11/1984, his wife Maria Smith, born 18/05/1988, and her mother Louise Smith, born 28/08/1960, all of 2 Beechwood Gardens, Meopham, Gravesend DA13 0SD, Charlotte Lauren Byron, born 15/04/1987, of Longfield Road, Meopham, Gravesend, and her mother Deborah Lorraine Lampard aka Deborah Kirsch, born 11/08/1964 of 123 Highview, Vigo, Gravesend DA13 0UT – kept dozens of dogs in horrific conditions and sold gravely ill and dying dogs to buyers.
The cruel and illicit activities of the gang were uncovered during a raid on 22 September 2021 by rural crime police officers and the RSPCA. A total of 36 dogs and three cats were taken away and £10,000 was seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Police made eight arrests, acting on four animal welfare warrants and also seized 12 vehicles and were able to return a farm vehicle to its owner.
All members of the gang, apart from Debbie Lampard who walked free with a conditional discharge, received prison sentences for duping the public and showing ‘cruelty and neglectful behaviour’ that led to the death of multiple dogs.
The gang reaped considerable financial benefit by repeatedly breeding dogs, while failing to provide appropriate medical care.
A joint police and RSPCA probe was launched after people who purchased the sick dogs raised the alarm.
Some of the puppies had been poorly with parvo virus – a highly contagious and often fatal illness – and had died within days of being taken to their new home.
During a raid on three properties in Kent in October 2021 over 30 puppies were recovered.
A vet described the puppies’ living conditions as ‘dark and smelly’, with three puppies requiring ‘urgent’ veterinary attention.
Many adult dogs were also found in the garden of the raided properties – including two pregnant dogs who were riddled with parasites and dental issues.
Phones containing enquiries from people about purchasing the puppies were also seized during the search.
RSPCA inspector Vikki Dawe said: ‘These dogs were all being kept in horrible conditions with very poor care which did not remotely reflect the expectations of buyers who saw the adverts placed for them.’
Woolwich Crown Court heard that, in one instance, three Golden Retriever puppies, all purchased from Byron’s address in Kent in July 2021, died within four days of being purchased.
A vet who examined the case said in a statement: ‘This suggests that the seller knew a litter mate was sick at the time of their sale.
‘Yet the other puppy purchasers were not notified, either at purchase that a litter mate was unwell or that a litter mate became unwell.
‘It is my opinion that the seller failed to protect the three pups discussed in this report by not sharing with the new owners that he had detected signs of disease in another litter mate.’
All five defendants were sentenced on January 25, 2024.
Wally Beaney pleaded guilty to four offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, as well as one charge of conspiracy to commit fraud.
Louise Smith pleaded guilty to one offence under Animal Welfare Act 2006 and one charge of conspiracy to commit fraud.
Maria Smith pleaded guilty to two offences under Animal Welfare Act 2006, and a charge of conspiracy to commit fraud.
Charlotte Byron pleaded guilty to one charge of conspiracy to commit fraud.
Debbie Lampard pleaded guilty to selling puppies without a licence.
Sergeant Darren Walshaw, of Kent Police’s Rural Task Force, said: ‘Those convicted reaped considerable financial benefit by repeatedly breeding dogs, all the while failing to provide the animals and their puppies with appropriate medical care, such as worming medication and inoculations.
‘They demonstrated cruelty and neglectful behaviour that ultimately led to numerous animals losing their lives unnecessarily.’
Sentencing |
Wally Beaney: four and a half years’ immediate custody. Ten year-ban on keeping dogs.
Louise Smith: two years and four months in custody, Banned from keeping dogs for five years.
Maria Smith: two years and four months in custody. Disqualified from keeping dogs for five years.
Charlotte Byron: two years and three months in custody. No ban.
Debbie Lampard: 18-month conditional discharge. No ban.
A pumped up thug with a bunch of cruel,greedy women. What a picture of society it shows.
Never let them near an animal again.
Agreed….disgusting people
Far too lenient a sentence given to this evil group of disgusting people.
They deserve to rot in hell for all the suffering caused to all these innocent animals.
The pic of Charlotte
Is not Charlotte so ur fact are as good as the crime
Never mind five year bans all of them should ever be allowed to keep an animal again. EVER! They are beneath contempt. And all for money, that was their sole driver, , greedy, cruel, selfish….I was going to say animals, but that would be doing them a favour.