A Leicester man has been banned from keeping dogs after he was found with 18 emaciated pups crammed inside his van following a routine stop by police.
Sean Palmer of Langtoft Road, Hamilton, Leicester, appeared before Leicester Crown Court for sentencing earlier this month.
He had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to four offences; causing unnecessary suffering to five dogs by failing to provide veterinary treatment for injuries sustained by the animals, causing unnecessary suffering to five dogs by failing to investigate and address the cause of the animals poor body condition and weight loss, causing unnecessary suffering to eight puppies by failing to investigate and address the cause of the animals poor bodily condition and dehydration.
He also admitted to owning 18 dogs in breach of a three year disqualification order on keeping dogs made by Lincoln Magistrates Court in February 2022.
He was sentenced to a 15-month custodial sentence suspended for two years, ordered to carry out 25 rehabilitation action days and 100 hours unpaid work. He was also banned from keeping dogs for seven years and was ordered to pay £250 court costs.
The offences came to light in February last year when police officers from Leicestershire and Rutland Rural Policing Team stopped the van near the A47 in Leicestershire and discovered 18 dogs inside, many with significant welfare issues.
The police officers contacted the RSPCA and an investigation was launched – a total of 10 adult bulldog types and eight puppies were discovered inside the van.
Some of the adult dogs had untreated wounds and were in a poor bodily condition and three were found wearing shock collars.
Seven puppies were underweight, weak and dehydrated and sadly one passed away before it could reach the vets due to its extremely poor body condition associated with malnutrition and dehydration.
All dogs were removed and signed over to the RSPCA – they were taken to a vet and given treatment
RSPCA Inspector Richard Durrant said: “The conditions inside the van were shocking – to have such a large number in such cramped conditions. A vet deemed many of the dogs including the pups were suffering.
“We are so very grateful to the Leicestershire and Rutland Rural Policing Team for all their support in what was a very upsetting case. “
Many of the dogs made a full recovery including the puppies and have since all been rehomed – but some dogs sadly later deteriorated and some were found to be suffering from cancer and a vet decided the kindest thing was for them to be put to sleep to prevent them suffering further.
In mitigation the court heard the defendant was dealing with personal issues over a period of time and that his personal life was chaotic at the time and he was sleeping in the van where the dogs were kept and in the same poor conditions.
