THE RSPCA has taken goal on the crooks who prioritsied monetary acquire over the wellbeing of the puppies they offered.
An RSPCA investigation discovered the group had offered 500 puppies, most of which had been sick, illegally to unsuspecting patrons in Billericay, Grays and Thurrock over a three-year interval.
One of many gang, Stacey Hayward, 41, had beforehand been a official breeder, however had her licence revoked by Basildon Council in 2018 after complaints in regards to the canine falling ailing not lengthy after sale. Her licence to breed canine additionally expired in 2018.
Nevertheless, she continued to promote and breed canine, with adverts usually posted on-line and previous licence paperwork introduced to patrons.
The RSPCA quickly linked Hayward and Steven Foster, 42, each of Colliford Highway, West Thurrock, to a different handle in Weymouth Drive, Chafford Hundred, the place Kelly Bennet, 44, and Ricky Bennett, 42, lived.
Inspector Vikki Dawe, from the RSPCA’s SOU crew, stated: “The heartbreaking actuality of pet farming is that the welfare of the puppies comes second to earning profits.
“The sums of cash concerned are simply eye-watering; and it is one other reminder of how unscrupulous this commerce might be; and the way harmful poor breeding and buying and selling practices are for canine, pups and unsuspecting customers.
“For anybody trying to purchase a pet, fairly than undertake – we urge them to do their analysis, know the indicators of an unscrupulous breeder.”
There was one blissful ending for one of many puppies.
Wilf was simply 10-weeks-old when he was rescued and went into RSPCA care. When he was 13-weeks-old he went to stay an RSPCA fosterer in West Sussex.
“Wilf was afraid of all noises and he had no doggy etiquette and didn’t know how one can play properly with different canine,” the foster carer stated.
“Regardless of his early challenges, he turned obtainable for rehoming on my birthday and so it was apparent that he’d be staying!
“He’s overcome his fears and is now an exquisite, cheeky chap. He loves his cuddly toys and is all the time carrying one round the home, and he likes to go for lengthy walks within the countryside.”
Stacey Hayward, 41, of Colliford Highway, West Thurrock, was sentenced to 47 months in jail.
Kelly Bennet, 44, of Weymouth Drive, Chafford Hundred, who the decide stated had a “main position”, was sentenced to 49 months’ imprisonment.
Ricky Bennett, 42, Weymouth Drive, Chafford Hundred, was jailed for 17 months for pet farm associated expenses.
He was additionally given a sentence of 19 months – to be served consecutively – for assault expenses, taking his whole sentence to 36 months.
Steven Foster’s sentencing was adjourned to Thursday, November 10.
