CONVICTED (2016) | puppy farmers John Wilcock, born 9 July 1980, and Bernadette Connor Nunney born 4 November 1991, of Tyersal Hall Farm, Tyersal Lane, Tyersal, Bradford BD4 0RE – kept malnourished and unwell dogs in squalor and sold them to unsuspecting customers as “home-bred”.
When RSPCA officers and police visited Tyersal Hall Farm in Bradford they came across a wheelbarrow of dead collie puppies. As they filmed the heartbreaking scene for evidence they realised that one of the pups – a black and white female, buried beneath the dead bodies of her littermates – was still alive. She was rushed to the vets but later died. Post mortems revealed that she and her siblings had died from parvovirus.
The puppy farm operators Nunney and Wilcock were accused of causing unnecessary suffering to the seven puppies, as well as a number of other offences. They also faced three further allegations of causing unnecessary suffering to a total of 10 dogs, and two offences of failing to meet the needs of 30 dogs.
Charges against a third defendant, Julie Nunney, who lived at the farm, were dropped due to insufficient evidence.
RSPCA inspector Emma Ellis, who investigated, said: “What I saw that day will stay with me forever. “The sight of the live puppy buried within the pile of dead puppies was heartbreaking. There was nothing we could do to save her. The way those puppies were left to die highlights how these people simply see them as commodities which I find totally unacceptable.
“Dozens of dogs were being kept at the address in stables and kennel blocks. Many had no food, no water, no bedding, and all of them were living in their own filth.”
Inspectors found 43 dogs – including collies, spaniels, bichon frises, Labradors, beagles, Chihuahuas, and some terrier-cross types – most of which were seized by the police and placed into the RSPCA’s care.
RSPCA special operations unit chief inspector (CI) Ian Briggs, said: “There is a growing demand for certain breeds of dogs – such as chihuahuas, spaniels and bichon frises – and genuine, regulated breeders simply cannot meet demand.
“Unregulated puppy breeders and dealers are plugging this gap in the market by producing dogs on a commercial scale and putting money and profits ahead of the health, welfare and happiness of the dogs. “
The case came to court following an investigation by the RSPCA as well as a sting by journalists from BBC’s Watchdog.
During their investigation, reporters bought a dog from the Bradford farm who was then rehomed with animal behaviourist Carrie Evans.
“Gizmo was exceptionally frightened and very poorly,” Carrie said. “He was grossly underweight, had worms, had an intestinal infection, and infected ears.
“Due to bad breeding, Gizmo has horrendous deformities in his legs and feet, and his feet can sometimes rotate backwards. He also has an undershot jaw.”
CI Briggs added: “When our investigations bring us to places such as this farm, we often find dogs living in squalid, sub-standard conditions.
“Unsuspecting members of the public end up parting with hundreds and hundreds of pounds for puppies who have behavioural issues because they’ve not been properly socialised, or health problems, due to poor conditions and no veterinary treatment. In some of the worst cases, their beloved family pet dies in their arms just days after bringing them home.”
Sentencing:
Both were sentenced to 20 weeks in prison suspended for 18 months and were each banned from keeping dogs for life.
Nunney was handed a 12 week curfew order, ordered to complete a 15-day rehabilitation activity and ordered to pay £500 in costs.
Wilcock was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and a 20-day rehabilitation activity. He was also ordered to pay £100 in costs.
Updates
As of September 2021 Bernadette Nunney is calling herself Bernadette Pearson. She lives in Wood Lane, Bradford BD2 1JX.
John Wilcock still lives at Tyersal House Farm alongside Julie Nunney.
Not much of a sentence for keeping Dogs in these conditions.
But at least now they are Banned from keeping Dogs.