CONVICTED (2010) | internet animal trader Linda Winter (aka Linda Jayne Leaf), born c. 1969, of Wycoller Avenue, Burnley BB10 4LF – kept dogs, cats and guinea pigs in freezing and filthy conditions in a series of stables and a caravan

An investigation was launched into the activities of puppy and horse trader Linda Winter by the RSPCA after police found a variety of animals in squalid conditions at a freezing-cold farm near Lennox Street, Worsthorne.

Several dogs, cats and guinea pigs were found in caravans and a nearby stable block by officers, who were conducting a stakeout as part of an unrelated criminal operation, and the RSPCA was alerted.

The conditions in the caravan were said to be filthy and often the animals had not been given adequate food or water despite the temperature barely being above zero degrees centigrade.

Two rabbits and a guinea pig, left in cages by Winter at the Lennox Street paddock, were found to be dead by police.

Vet Peter O’Hagen was called in to examine the animals and they were removed at the RSPCA’s request.

RSPCA inspector Jason Bowles and Mr O’Hagen also made a video of the caravan and stables noting that, at the time, New Year’s Day, the temperature was zero degrees centigrade.

Mr Bowles told the court said there was a strong smell of urine in the dirty caravan and he could see no food or water left for a Rottweiler puppy and a small Border terrier he found inside.

He then moved to a stable block, where he found the dead rabbits and guinea pig, and a cage containing three cats, which had apparently been left with dry food but no water. The litter tray was full and the cats were sitting in their own filth.

The next stable inspected had three dogs, two Bedlington terriers and a small black spaniel, the court heard.

Mr Bowles said no water had been left for the dogs. The terriers’ coats were matted and the spaniel’s was ‘dirty’.

Finally two Sharpei dogs, with bad skin conditions, were discovered in a third stable.

These dogs had been left water but it had frozen because of the conditions.

Winter, who advertises puppies for sale on the internet, was questioned by PC Mark Jenkinson when she arrived at the scene.

She was alleged to have told PC Jenkinson that the animals at the compound were hers and she was looking after them “because no-one else would”.

Winter was questioned about the discovery and later charged with 18 offences of failing to provide adequate care and diets for 13 animals found by the authorities.

She denied the charges during a two-day trial but was convicted of all the offences.

In her defence, Winter said her car had been impounded and she was unable to attend to care for the animals daily. Her daughter and a family friend had been given the responsibility instead and had not done a good job.

Magistrates banned Winter from keeping dogs and all other animals for six years and to pay costs to the RSPCA of £260.

The court heard that the disqualification may prove difficult to enforce as his client’s 17-year-old daughter had pets of her own.

But the bench told Winter she must make provisions to ensure she complied with the ban or face further court action.

The trial was told that Winter’s details had been found on various trading websites, advertising puppies and ponies for sale.

Following the case RSPCA inspector Jason Bowles, who investigated Winter, said: “She left these animals to live in freezing and squalid conditions and some suffered and others died as a result.

“She was caught out though as the result of a joint operation between the RSPCA and Burnley Police.

“I would like to make a plea to people to be aware when you are buying an animal, without researching its history properly, then you could be funding misery for more animals in future.”

Sentencing: costs of £260. Six-year ban on keeping animals (expired 2016).

Lancashire Telegraph