CONVICTED (2022) | mother and son Joanne Denise Gilheaney, born 10 February 1981, and James Steven Daniel Gilheaney, born c. 2001, both of Cae Garw Travellers Site in Pyle, Bridgend – ran a squalid puppy farm and neglected animals in their care. Charges against a second son, Steven Gilheaney, appear not to have proceeded.

Joanne and Jimmy Gilheaney pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to 12 dogs by failing to provide adequate or effective professional veterinary care and attention for their skin diseases. They also admitted failing to meet the needs of 21 dogs by failing their need for a suitable living environment and failing to provide 10 dogs with suitable diet including continuous access to an adequate supply of clean, fresh drinking water.

In March 2021 police officers and RSPCA inspectors carried out a search of Cae Garw travellers site following concerns which had been raised about the treatment of animals.

The search focused on two plots belonging to the Gilheaney family which contained a series of pens and a horse box used for keeping animals in.
RSPCA inspectors were “horrified by the health and environments of the animals” in what they described as a “small scale puppy farm” operating from the site.

The 21 dogs were found living in unhygienic and hazardous conditions. Many of the dogs – which included Yorkshire terriers, Saluki crosses, French bulldogs, Bichon Frise, Labradors, Patterdales, Jack Russell terriers and cocker spaniels – were found to be underweight.

All the adult dogs had skin ailments.

At the location there were three litters and a heavily pregnant bitch, who later went on to have six puppies.

The condition of one dog found living in a dark and wet horsebox – a Saluki called Fly who was extremely underweight and suffering with a skin disease – was so bad he had to be put down.

Another dog – a Jack Russell terrier with her pups – had fur loss and skin loss, and a possible burn on her back, while a female Labrador with puppies was in another pen which had little light or ventilation, and which was dirty and unhygienic.

Inspectors also found birds of prey living some of the pens as well as a donkey and five cob-type ponies. The donkey had overgrown hooves.

A total of 21 dogs were seized by the RSPCA but it was decided not to seize the birds of prey as they had belonged to the father of the family, convicted drug dealer Steven Gilheaney, who died in October 2018, and “it was thought it would cause violent confrontation” if steps were taken to remove them from the site.

Instead it was agreed that advice would be given to the Gilheaneys about improving the environment the birds were being kept in.

Joanne Gilheaney claimed all the litters of puppies bar one were “accidents”, and that she had intended to give the pups away to people who could not afford to buy pets.

She said none of the dogs had ever been seen by a vet because she couldn’t afford the bills, and said while she was aware of the smell coming from the pens as her caravan was close-by they were cleaned regularly, and the smell was due to the number of dogs all living together.

Joanne Gilheaney’s son James – known as Jimmy – refused to attend a voluntary interview but in a prepared statement said he had done nothing wrong.

While sentencing the pair, the District Judge referred to there being a commercial element on what appeared to be a puppy farm.

The court heard neither of the defendants had a breeding licence.

RSPCA inspector Gemma Cooper said: “I was horrified by the animal’s overall health condition and the environments in which they were being kept. It also appeared that a small scale puppy farm was being run from this location.”

She added: “The conditions they were kept in were not acceptable and the owners were failing to meet their needs. One pen for example – which had eight dogs in – had no space for them to get away from each other, had no comfortable area for them to rest and was full of urine and faeces.

“Pens lacked sleeping areas and in one pen a head lamp was placed dangerously as it hung very close to a water bowl. Temperature control was lacking in all the pens as was clean, comfortable bedding and all the pens looked and smelt dirty.

“Also there were no sufficient beds and water bowls for the number of dogs to prevent competition and all the adult dogs needed veterinary treatment for various ailments.”

“When bringing the dogs out of the first two pens none of them knew how to walk on a lead and they were all terrified of the outside world. It was clear from their reactions that they have not been properly socialised and spend the majority of their time locked up in these pens and away from life”.

Several of the dogs were taken to RSPCA West Hatch Animal Centre – among other RSPCA centres – where they were given treatment for their conditions, and were successfully rehomed.

One of them, Flo, entered RSPCA care in a thin condition and had mange. On her first day at RSPCA West Hatch she was subdued but showed her playfulness by picking up a ragger and tried to play even though she looked like a skeleton. At the animal centre she went from strength to strength and her personality shone through more each day.

Inspector Cooper added: “When I first saw her she was extremely underweight and cowered in the corner. Her ribs and spine were visible and she looked pink where she had fur loss and her skin was red and inflamed. There were two bowls on the floor of her pen which were empty.

“I am delighted that Flo found her forever home – her transformation is just amazing.

“Thanks to a lot of love and care from staff at the animal centre they have transformed into happy and healthy dogs and it is lovely to know they are in their forever homes.”

Sentencing: nine weeks in prison suspended for 12 months; rehabilitation activity requirement; James Gilheaney must also complete 120 hours unpaid work. Both were banned from keeping any breed of dog for the next 10 years.

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