CONVICTED (2023) | Mohammad Tofiq Sadiq, born c. 1996, of Lethamhill Road, Riddrie, Glasgow G33 – failed to get veterinary treatment for his puppy’s mutilated ears.
Kilo received improper care after his ears were illegally cropped
Sadiq admitted causing unnecessary suffering to five-month-old American pocket bully, Kilo, by failing to provide veterinary treatment for injuries caused by a prohibited procedure, namely cropping.
Kilo’s ears were red and scabby when Scottish SPCA inspectors attended Sadiq’s home following a concerned call on April 18, 2022
When asked if he had taken Kilo to the vet, Sadiq denied he owned Kilo when the procedure was carried out and said he had been cleaning his ears with salty water since he got him.
Kilo’s owner claimed that Kilo’s ears were already cropped when he bought him nine days earlier, but this was refuted by the puppy’s previous owner
A special investigations unit inspector involved in the case said: “On 18 April 2022 we attended the premises following a call to our animal helpline regarding a dog being neglected.
“On entering the property, a male American pocket bully, named Kilo, could be seen with cropped ears which were red and scabby.
“Sadiq claimed he had only had the dog for around nine days and that his ears had been cropped by his previous owner. When asked if the dog had seen a vet he said that he had been cleaning Kilo’s ears with salty water and giving him paracetamol.”
Kilo was nursed back to health in the care of the Scottish SPCA
Kilo was immediately removed from the premises and taken to a veterinary practice to be examined.
The inspector added: “The vet stated that due to how fresh the wounds appeared to be, they believed the procedure had been carried out within the last seven to 10 days. Kilo was given anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce the swelling and pain the wounds would have been causing.
“We then took Kilo to one of our animal rescue and rehoming centres where he could receive the ongoing medical care he needed. While he was there we scanned him for a microchip and we were able to contact a previous owner who was able to confirm that the dog had full ear flaps when they last saw him in February.”
Sentencing | 12-month community payback order. Five-year ban on keeping animals (expires November 2028).
CONVICTED (2023) | puppy farmers / traffickers Tom Paul Mongan, born c. 1995, of 4 Mill Pond Glen, Poleglass, Dunmurry, Belfast BT17 0XX, and William Joseph Mongan, aka William Ward, born 9 October 1983, of 6 Ardcaoin Grove, Poleglass, Dunmurry, Belfast BT17 0US
Brothers Tom Mongan (left) and William Mongan sold sick puppies from rented Glasgow flats leaving a trail of misery in their wake
Notorious puppy farmer/trafficker Tom Mongan, who in May 2023 was convicted for similar charges in Northern Ireland, and brother William Mongan, sold dogs online from rented Airbnb properties across Glasgow.
The dogs were found in poor shape and were discovered living in unsanitary conditions by SSPCA inspectors.
Some of the 11 pets the pair were responsible for were later put down due to ill health.
Tom Mongan pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to three charges of causing unnecessary suffering while William Mongan admitted two charges.
The charges spanned between December 2020 and February 2021.
The brothers – who are of the Irish traveller community – were sentenced to nine months in jail each by Sheriff Mark McGuire.
He said: “Each of you pled guilty to what can be described as animal cruelty on 11 separate dogs.
“What I heard is what the public would know as puppy farming.
“It must have been obvious the dogs were unwell and the conditions they were kept in was poor – you took no steps to get help for these animals.
“The motivation was for financial gain – each dog was priced at over £1,000.
“It was clearly greed and it brought unimaginable misery to those who unfortunately bought them.
“I am satisfied there is no other appropriate sentence than custody.”
Tom Mongan with wife Ellie Marie Mongan. The charges against her and Brigid Marie Mongan, sister of Tom and Edward, were dropped during court proceedings
Despite facing prosecution for similar offences in Northern Ireland, Tom Mongan went on to rent out a number of Airbnb properties in Glasgow for the purposes of selling more dogs.
He advertised a springer spaniel puppy on website PetsForHomes which was answered by a man.
He met Tom at an address and was shown a vaccination card for the puppy who was lying on a couch.
He paid Tom £1,600 in separate transactions to purchase the puppy later named Bella.
Tom contacted the man the following day to ask when he would pick up the dog.
Prosecutor Gail Campbell said: “[The man] told him that they picked up the puppy and was then blocked by Tom Mongan on the website.”
The man also noticed that the puppy had diarrhoea and was lethargic with parvovirus suspected by a vet.
The decision was made to euthanize Bella days later due to her ill health.
Ms Campbell added: “The vet thought that the dog was caused unnecessary suffering.
“[The man] contacted Tom Mongan on Facebook to tell him the puppy had died but he blocked him.”
A woman purchased a Pomeranian puppy from Tom in similar circumstances which was named Abbie.
The dog vomited and also had diarrhoea which included live worms.
Abbie was taken to the vet where she was noted to have done the toilet on herself and could stand on her own.
Abbie was also euthanized with a post mortem finding that she suffered from parvovirus.
A man and woman purchased a Beagle later named Freya from Tom.
She was later noted to have no appetite, vomited and had diarrhoea. Freya also passed away from her condition.
The woman contacted Tom but received no reply.
SSPCA inspectors and police raised of the addresses on January 28 2021 and found Tom Mongan, William Mongan and eight puppies within.
A spaniel puppy was noted to be “distressed”, as well as lethargic and could not lift her head.
Another spaniel puppy and a Pomeranian were also found to be in a “visibly poor condition.”
A puddle of clear yellow fluid, believed to be diarrhoea was found on the floor of one of the bedrooms.
The puppies were seized and only four of them were linked to microchips.
A vet stated that all the puppies were in poor condition and should have received veterinary care. One of the dogs was put down.
Grubby family enterprise: Brigid Mongan with brother William Mongan. The case against her did not proceed
Over a week later, William Mongan was visited by the SSPCA who received information beagle puppies were being sold.
Four puppies were found inside including a beagle puppy who was in a poor condition.
A border collie described as being “extremely unwell” was noted to be lying in her own urine and faeces.
William threatened legal action on one of the SSPCA inspectors who seized the puppies
Ms Campbell added: “The inspector has not been contacted by a lawyer.”
Atlanta Jack, defending Tom, told the sentencing her client was involved for financial gain.
The lawyer added: “He expresses his regret for the people who purchased the puppies and he is apologetic for the upset and inconvenience caused.”
Patrick Brechany, defending William, stated his client is a gardener by trade who is “remorseful and “regretful.”
Mr Brechany denied that William was a “puppy farmer” but sold dogs who were puppy farmed.
Sheriff McGuire banned the two men, of Belfast, from keeping animals for ten years.
Sentencing | nine-month custodial; 10-year ban applicable to all animals.
In April 2023 Irish newspaper Sunday World published an article on “convicted fraudster” William Mongan in which they described how neighbours of the vile Mongans had to take action to stop newborn puppies bred by the family from dying. The article revealed how people living in the same street as William Mongan had been going into his back yard to feed two very young cocker spaniel puppies he had left in a shed. Concerned neighbours told the Sunday World reporter how the puppies cried 24 hours a day for food and attention.
Abandoned puppies only survived thanks to the intervention of kindly neighbours of William Mongan aka William Ward
“He dropped the puppies off … and he left and has only been seen back once since then and even then he didn’t get out of his van,” said one concerned neighbour.
“He doesn’t live here very much and he hasn’t been seen much but nobody can understand why he’d abandon two vulnerable young puppies like this in his yard.
“The poor things have been whining constantly because he didn’t leave any food for them. They are far too young to be away from their mother.
“It’s maybe hard to understand how distressing it is to have to listen to young puppies crying 24 hours a day because they are starving and missing their mum.
“Loads of neighbours have complained to Belfast City Council’s animal welfare department as well as the USPCA but nobody seems to be doing anything.”
CONVICTED (2023) | Michael Frati, born c. 1995, of Craigend, City of Glasgow – killed a tiny chihuahua by striking her with a hatchet.
Frati attacked the chihuahua named Ruby at a property in Ruchazie in the north east of Glasgow, on 5 August 2023.
He was convicted at Glasgow Sheriff Court of causing the dog unnecessary suffering. He also behaved in a threatening or abusive manner at the same time and place.
Sheriff Patrick Hughes said it was a particularly sad matter due to Frati’s friendship with the dog’s owner, Janet Collins.
Sheriff Hughes said: “She played an almost maternal role in your life.
“This was the worst incident of animal cruelty I have seen, particularly in a summary court.
The charge said Frati knew or ought to have known that his actions would have caused suffering.
It is stated that he struck Ruby on the head with a hatchet which caused her death.
Sheriff Hughes added the dog had suffered from an “unprovoked incident”.
He said: “Miss Collins suffered from seeing it and seeing it done by you which is hurtful.
“It seems to me that you pose a significant risk to the public and this incident is an escalation.”
Peter Malone, defending, told the sentencing hearing that Ms Collins had tried to help Frati with his addiction issues and he had been living with her.
Frati was cleared in 2019 of two murder bid shootings within a month after the charges against him were dropped.
He denied shooting Robert McCann at a house in Tollcross as well as Brian McGloin at his home in Shettleston.
Mr McCann said he was shot in the head in his friend Christopher Lynch’s home, but remembered nothing after hearing someone at the front door and walking out of the kitchen into the hallway.
He woke up days later in hospital. In court he said he was unable to identify the gunman.
Mr McGloin who was shot three times and slashed on the face, also said in court he was unable to identify the shooter.
CONVICTED (2023) | Chantelle Margaret Angela Crossan, born 13 September 1998, and partner Liam McLachlan, born 17 June 1999, of Carmyle Avenue, Carmyle, Glasgow G32 – for the neglect and starvation of their two dogs.
Chantelle Crossan and Liam McLachlan were branded “disgraceful” for their shocking treatment of two dogs
Chantelle Crossan and Liam McLachlan, who have two young children, admitted failing to provide two dogs in their care with appropriate pain relief and veterinary treatment for their emaciated and underweight body conditions. They were prosecuted in relation to a three-year-old Staffy named Kenzo and a five-month-old Cane Corso cross called Tyson.
Puppy Tyson’s ribs were also prominent through his fur. He was also suffering from n untreated skin condition that had caused hair loss to his face
Scottish SPCA chief inspector McIntyre said: “On 30 January 2022 we attended Carmyle Avenue, Glasgow in response to information we had received from our animal helpline. The information came from a complainant who stated that they were concerned for two dogs at the address as they had heard noises coming from the property which sounded like the dogs were fighting.
Three-year-old Kenzo was also very thin following months of neglect by her owners.
“We had tried to make previous contact with the owner of the dogs on 21 January 2022, after receiving information from our animal helpline regarding a separate complaint that the dogs were underweight.
“An appointment was made to visit the address to view the dogs on 24 January 2022, but the owner then cancelled the visit, and asked to rearrange it for the following week.
Healthier times: Tyson and Kenzo in images shared to Facebook by their owners
“On 30 January we were met at the door by a woman who identified herself as Chantelle Crossan.
“Inside the property were two dogs, a white and tan coloured, female, Staffordshire bull terrier type dog called Kenzo, and a dark brindle coloured, male, cane corso type dog, called Tyson.
“We could see straight away that both dogs were in poor condition. Kenzo was underweight, with her hips and spine visible. Tyson was emaciated, with all ribs clearly visible, as well as his hip bones and spine being very prominent underneath his fur. His skin also appeared to be in poor condition and was very dry and flaky, with some hair loss around his legs and face.
“We asked for some further details regarding the dogs, including their ages, and whether they were under any veterinary treatment. They stated that Kenzo was approximately three years old and that Tyson was approximately five months old. It was stated that neither dog was under veterinary treatment.
“It was advised that the dogs were in need of immediate veterinary attention and that we would be removing the dogs due to concerns for their welfare.
“Both dogs were immediately taken to be examined by a vet who confirmed that Kenzo was very underweight and that no injuries or underlying conditions were evident.
“Tyson was emaciated. His legs had very little muscle and his groin had thin, taught skin as there was so little tissue due to his malnutrition. He had hair loss on both thighs which was attributed to his malnutrition. He had mild redness in his right ear and one of his testicles was not fully developed.
“Due to the absence of any injuries or obvious underlying conditions, the vet’s opinion was that this low body condition was due to chronic underfeeding and negligence. The dogs further had their welfare compromised by the failure to seek veterinary treatment to find out if there was an underlying reason for their poor condition.
“The vet estimated it would have taken a period of at least three months for the dogs to come to be in this condition.
“This has been exacerbated in the case of Tyson as he was such a young puppy and would have needed extra nutrition to maintain condition and to develop appropriately. The long term effects of malnutrition at this stage may still impact him in the future.”
Banning the couple from having anything to do with animals for six years Sheriff Kevin McCarron told them: “I have read the background reports that this was a bit of an oversight and there were pressures of life.
“I don’t find any of that an acceptable explanation for these two dogs being in that awful condition.
“The responsibility for that is entirely on yourselves. The fact you let these dogs get in that condition is disgraceful, frankly.”
The Scottish SPCA expressed disappointment with the short length of the banning order. They said that “given the level of neglect, we would have liked it to be for a longer period of time.”
Sentencing | Crossan: 80 hours of community service. McLachlan: 120 hours of community service. Both were banned from owning/keeping any animal for six years (expires June 2029).
CONVICTED (2023) | Robert Stewart Dyer-Sheppard, born 30 June 1977, previously of Linkwood Crescent, Drumchapel, but now believed to be in the Haghill area of Dennistoun, Glasgow* – moved out of his home, leaving behind eight guinea pigs to starve to death.
Dyer-Sheppard pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering by failing to provide adequate food and water for the eight guinea pigs.
When the guinea pigs were found, seven of them had passed away and the surviving female, named Ollie, was emaciated.
Scottish SPCA chief inspector Jennifer Connolly said, “On 18 April 2022 we received a call to our animal helpline regarding concerns that a number of guinea pigs had been left alone at the address for several days.
“We contacted the local council to gain access and discovered Sheppard had moved out on 8 April 2022. Meanwhile our animal helpline received another call, this time from a council employee who had attended the property to change the locks, and discovered a number of dead guinea pigs on the veranda area.
“We attended and discovered the bodies of six Guinea pigs on the veranda. There was a large amount of guinea pig faeces everywhere. There were two empty bowls and an empty cake tin on the floor. No food or water was present.
“There was a plastic cage sitting on top of a hutch containing a further two guinea pigs which was closed, meaning they had no way to leave the cage. One of the animals inside was dead.
“We immediately removed the surviving guinea pig, named Ollie, to a clean pet carrier.
“Ollie was taken to one of our centres for veterinary treatment where she was found to be underweight, but bright and alert.
“In our care she quickly regained weight and has since found a loving new home where she can get the love and attention she deserves.
“We sought a veterinary opinion on how the other seven guinea pigs died and it is estimated they succumbed to dehydration. It’s estimated it would take somewhere between three and five days for a Guinea pig to die of dehydration or over a week to die of starvation assuming water was available.
“Given the timescales of when Sheppard vacated the property we assume there must have been a supply of food and water left initially. However, these resources would not have been evenly shared between the animals and the weaker animals would have passed away more quickly.
“We are pleased that Sheppard received a ban but, given the level of neglect these animals were subjected to, we would have liked for it to have been for a longer period of time.
“Any reasonable owner would not leave their animals unsupervised like this for such an extended period of time and would ensure that someone trustworthy and reliable was responsible for tending to them.”
Sentencing | 75-day restriction of liberty order. Two year ban on owning animals (expires April 2025).
CONVICTED (2023) | Chloe Cochrane, born c. 1999, of Glaive Road, Knightswood, Glasgow G13 – failed to treat her pet cat’s serious and painful eye condition.
Chloe Cochrane left her cat in severe pain with an obvious eye condition
Cochrane pleaded guilty to failing to provide veterinary treatment for her cat, who was found in pain with severe entropion.
Scottish SPCA inspector Erwin, said, “On 9 October 2020 we attended the property where Miss Cochrane had been staying with her black and white male cat, Max.
Neglected pet Max received the medical treatment he desperately needed while in the care of the SSPCA
“Max was suffering from a condition in his right eye which appeared red, swollen and painful. He was not opening his eye fully, the third eyelid was exposed and there was a brown discharge observed.
“He was taken to our Lanarkshire Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre so he could receive ongoing care and veterinary treatment.
“On closer inspection, Max was suffering from a severe entropion, where the eyelid rolls inwards causing eyelashes and fur to rub painfully on the surface of the eye, damaging the cornea. Multiple masses were also present in the upper and lower eyelids.
“Max underwent entropion correction surgery to make him more comfortable and prevent any further suffering.
“By failing to seek appropriate veterinary attention for Max’s eye, Cochrane caused him a great deal of unnecessary pain and suffering that could have been avoided with prompt veterinary care.”
Sentencing | community pay back order of 80 hours of unpaid work. Seven-year disqualification order (expires February 2030).
CONVICTED (2023) | Alice McClymont, born 25 December 1974, of Ryeside Road, Barmulloch, Glasgow G21 3LQ – for total neglect of a dog found with a severe infection to her skin and ears.
McClymont pleaded guilty to the charge of causing unnecessary suffering in relation to a Staffordshire bull terrier named Tia.
Four-year-old Tia was found in a distressed condition with a painful ear infection and a severe skin condition that had caused hair loss and lesions all over her face and ears. One of her eyes was swollen shut by the swelling.
Neglected Staffy Tia was found with a swollen face and discharge coming from her ears. Photo credit: SSPCA
Scottish SPCA chief inspector Lara Vickery said, “In June 2019 we received a call about a dog at the address who had allergies, hair loss and was repeatedly scratching.
“We attended the property on the same day and were shocked by the condition of Tia, the dog in question.
“She had a swollen face and red, raw broken skin on top of her head and all over her right ear. Tia’s right eye was closed due to the swelling on that side of her face.
“The skin on her head and ears was crusty and her ears looked thickened and painful. There was also a foul odour and discharge coming from her ears which were a clear sign of infection. Tia’s ears were so painful that she flinched when anyone tried to touch them.
“Upon veterinary examination it was estimated that this problem had been going on for up to six months for Tia to get in to the condition she was in.
Alice McClymont left Tia t to suffer excruciating discomfort for at least six months,. Photo credit: SSPCA.
“McClymont had placed a cone around the dog’s head and duct taped a sock to her hind leg in an attempt to stop her scratching herself so she was obviously aware that the dog was in some discomfort.
“Once Tia was taken in to the care of the Scottish SPCA and given the appropriate veterinary treatment she was almost fully recovered within four weeks.
“This clearly highlights that she had a manageable condition and could be kept comfortable and pain-free with veterinary treatment.”
Chief Inspector Vickery added: “We’re pleased McClymont has received a ban but given the level of suffering Tia endured we would have liked it to have been for a longer period of time. We hope she seriously considers her ability to look after any animal in future.
Sentencing | £180 fine with a £10 victim surcharge. A five- year ban on keeping animals (expires February 2028).
CONVICTED (2023) | “puppy butcher” Henry Chrystal, born c. 1989, of Tillycairn Drive, Garthamlock, Glasgow G33 – failed to treat his puppies’ mutilated ears.
In January 2023 Chrystal pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to puppies Donut and Dumpling through failing to provide veterinary treatment for injuries caused by a prohibited procedure, namely ear cropping.
Mutilated for profit: Donut and Dumpling had their ears cropped by cruel breeder Henry Chrystal
A Scottish SPCA Special Investigation Unit (SIU) inspector involved in the case said they were alerted by a member of the public.
He said: “Both dogs had injuries to their ears. The wounds were red, crusted and looked recent.
“We immediately removed the dogs due to concerns for their welfare and took them to one of our centres to be examined by a vet. The vet examined their wounds and found they were still in a stage of healing and appeared to cause some discomfort when touched.
“This illegal procedure would have caused these puppies considerable pain and discomfort, for purely cosmetic reasons.
“The procedures are likely to have taken several minutes and there will have been a lot of bleeding. Both puppies were then left in chronic pain until they received the care they needed at our centre.”
The inspector said Chrystal had claimed he had owned the puppies for two weeks and that their ears were already cropped when he received them. He claimed they were given to him ‘on breeder’s terms’, meaning he would keep them as a pet until the breeder required them back for breeding.
When asked why he hadn’t sought veterinary treatment for the puppies he said that he didn’t take them to the vet because they were ‘not his dogs to take to the vet’. Both pups have been rehomed.
Sentencing | 40-day restriction of liberty order. Two-year ban on keeping animals (expires January 2025).
Henry Chrystal’s brother is Andrew William Stuart Chrystal, born 3 April 1998, and according to the 2022 public electoral roll living at Townend Farm, Kilsyth, Glasgow G65 0QE. Andrew Chrystal is sole director of Dog Food Bull Brand Ltd, which was founded in September 2022.
He and partner Melissa Brodie, born 11 September 1998 and a nursery nurse at Happy Days Nursery in Kirkintilloch, also breed and sell dogs – their ears routinely cropped – under the trading name Variety Bulls or VBulls. Facebook page here. Instagram profile here.
Andrew Chrystal is an associate of Thomas Rayment, a county lines drug gang leader, and Ryan Howard, who were exposed in a 2023 BBC Panorama investigation into extreme breeders (available on the iPlayer or via the YouTube link below). Rayment and Howard own and run Muscletone Bullys, a canine fertility clinic based in Wigan, Greater Manchester.
Variety Bulls’ Instagram profile is private but here’s a selection of images from the various Facebook profiles. No words needed
We now understand that the two puppies for which Henry Chrystal was convicted were actually bred and (allegedly) mutilated by Variety Bulls. This being the case, it would seem that the wrong brother was prosecuted and the authorities now need to take a close look at Andrew Chrystal, assuming he’s not already on their radar.
CONVICTED (2022) | William Gauley, born c. 1994, of 63 Baldovan Crescent, Easterhouse, Glasgow G33 4LR – used his two dogs as a weapon against three police officers and a police dog.
Tragic: Boston (left) and Shadow lost their lives after their owner William Gauley ordered them to attack police officers and a police dog.
A court ordered the destruction of bulldogs Boston and Mastiff after their owner, violent career criminal William Gauley, ordered them to attack the officers and PD Diesel.
Gauley, who was armed with a knife and meat cleaver, instructed the dogs to pounce on the officers as they tried to arrest his brother, Ryan Gauley.
One officer suffered three bites on the thigh, leaving him requiring eight or nine stitches, while another was bitten once and police dog Diesel was also attacked during the melee.
Gauley pleaded guilty to assaulting constables Ryan Plunkett, Martin O’Neill and David Craig.
He also admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner, being in charge of a dogs that were dangerously out of control as well as the unlawful possession of a knife and meat cleaver in a public place.
Sheriff Iain Fleming jailed Gauley for 27 months and disqualified him from owning a dog for four-and-a-half years.
An order was made for the dogs, who have been held in kennels since the incident, to be destroyed.
CONVICTED (2021) | James McNicol, born c. 1982, of Ballantay Road, Castlemilk, Glasgow G45 0DX – left his dog starving and in extreme pain.
James McNicol
The SSPCA attended James McNicol’s home after being alerted to a sick dog inside the property.
McNicol came to the door but lied that the dog was being walked by his owner. Another SSPCA officer recognised McNicol, however, and knew that he owned the dog at the property.
McNicol led the officer to the living room where the dog – a crossbreed called Scamp – was lying stricken on the floor.
The poor animal had visible ribs and hip bones and was unresponsive to touch and sound.
Scamp was rushed to the vet, but sadly had to be put down.
The dog was described as severely underweight and badly dehydrated. He had a mouth infection, lacerations and dental issues.
The court heard help should have been sought for Scamp, who had been affected for a prolonged period of time.
McNicol pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the animal.
Thomas Neil, defending, told the court: “He accepts the dog was unwell and he’s not proud of himself.”
Sheriff Diane McConnell told McNicol: “The condition of the dog was appalling. It was suffering greatly.”
Sentencing: 12-month supervision order; curfew. Five year ban on keeping dogs (expires September 2026).
