CONVICTED | breeder Sharon Jeannine Gladwell, born c. 1973, of 23 Mount Pleasant, Hayle TR27 4LD – caught on camera physically abusing a dog who was nursing her new-born puppies.
The RSPCA launched an investigation after a member of the public reported Gladwell, who breeds dogs under the name Jotars Collies & Australian Shepherds, to the animal welfare charity for kicking and hitting a dog who was temporarily in her care to give birth to puppies.
The dog, Trust, was purchased as a puppy from Gladwell in 2018 on the agreement that when the bitch was three she’d be returned to the breeder to have a litter of puppies.
In May 2021, Trust was put to stud and her owner returned her to Gladwell’s home to give birth in July, alongside another dog who was also due to have puppies.
Trust’s owner had access to a video app on which she could view Trust and her puppies.
The witness said in her statement: “I saw Sharon enter the room where Trust was with the puppies. She placed a bowl in the whelping box and I saw Trust cower away. This wasn’t at all like her and it concerned me.
“At 17.58… I saw her get into the whelping box with Trust and the puppies. I was watching it live as it happened. Sharon straightened out the bedding and then kicked Trust hard in the chest with her right foot. She then leant over her and Trust [didn’t] move.
“She then hits Trust to the face causing her head to move backwards.
“She then continues to lean over her before hitting her again to the face.
“She then picks her up by the scruff and the fur on her rump, and holds her off the floor for around eight seconds before throwing her to the back of the whelping pen.”
One puppy died from suspected leptospirosis but the others were all sold and Trust was returned to her owner.
The witness added: “Sharon told me that Trust had been kept inside the house but she stank and her stomach was covered in dirt which took me about a week to get off. She had also lost weight.”
Gladwell appeared at Bodmin Magistrates’ Court on June 18, 2024, to be sentenced after pleading guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Sentencing | fined £733, ordered to pay £400 in costs and a £293 victim surcharge. No mention of a ban.