CONVICTED (2019) | backyard breeders Wayne Glasby, born 1 December 1981, and Joanne Glasby, born c. 1968, of Cedric Crescent, Thurcroft S66 – illegally docked their dogs’ tails causing them pain
Former butcher Wayne Glasby, who is originally from Worksop, and wife Joanne Glasby pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and removing whole or part of a dog’s tail.
The pair used docking rings to remove four terriers’ tails when they were around six-weeks-old.
Andy Cash, for the RSPCA, told the court that the couple’s offending came to light when they advertised three terriers for sale online.
“By chance, a person who was looking at these photographs [in the advert] had a history as a vet and she thought she could see a docking ring and referred the matter to the RSPCA,” said Mr Cash.
The RSPCA visited the Glasbys on November 30, 2018, and found four puppies, aged around six to seven weeks, with docked tails.
Mr Cash said a vet who inspected the dogs assessed that the operation had not been carried out by a qualified practitioner and took the view that it had been an “act of mutilation”.
“It was likely to have caused unnecessary pain which is anticipated to have lasted a few days,” said Mr Cash.
When Wayne Glasby was interviewed by police he admitted owning the puppies but denied docking their tails.
He said the operation had been carried out by a vet, but when efforts were made to trace the practitioner, it was discovered no such vet existed.
Joanne Glasby told officers she was also responsible for the puppies and denied knowing who was responsible for docking their tails.
“She thought it was just what was done to terriers,” said Mr Cash.
The Glasbys’ lawyer told the court her clients had rehomed all of their terriers ahead of the court hearing but still had a 12-year-old lurcher whom they were hoping to rehome within their family. She said the proceedings had had a traumatic effect on the couple.
The pair also have a smallholding where they keep a pony, sheep and lambs and the presiding judge expressed concern over the welfare of those animals.
Sentencing: 150 hours of unpaid work; £600 costs each. Banned from keeping dogs for five years (expires March 2024).