‘Chaotic puppy farm’ trio given dog ban order

Matthew Whelan, 67, of Bedford Road, pleaded guilty to eight offences, which included causing unnecessary suffering to two dogs and three puppies by failing to provide them with adequate veterinary treatment.

His wife, Patricia Whelan, 67, of the same address, and daughter Brenda Whelan-O’Brien, 47, of High Beech Road, Luton, were found guilty of the same charges after a trial at Luton Magistrates Court.

The RSPCA visited the Bedford Road bungalow last year after a report that a member of the public had bought sick puppies from the kennels.

One dog was found to have an untreated ear problem and another four had mange.

A total of 48 adult dogs and 47 puppies, of all different breeds, were found in various outbuildings with poor ventilation and inadequate lighting. Of those, 29 were found with no water.

On Thursday, the court heard that a Jack Russell cross-breed dog had been sold from the Whelan property as recently as June 10 – just days before the trial began.

Prosecutor Mark Jones, on behalf of the RSPCA, told the court: “The concern of the society is that obviously the animals are still being traded from the address. We are seeing this as a commercial enterprise. The dogs are not kept as pets, sales are still taking place. Unless stopped, this trade will continue.”

The court was told that the Whelan trio, who had no licence for the breeding business, had vastly reduced the number of dogs in their care since the RSPCA visit. But the district judge felt a banning order was necessary.

He said: “I see you all as having been involved together in the management of breeding and sale of the dogs at the bungalow. This was an established business.

“Dogs were kept in woefully inadequate conditions, a small number of which suffered as a consequence. You didn’t set out to run this sort of chaotic puppy farm but this is what it ended up being.”

All three defendants were disqualified from keeping, owning, dealing or transporting dogs for five years and given a six-month community order with a curfew.

The judge ordered an RSPCA officer to seize the animals.

Matthew Whelan was given a nine-week curfew from 10pm until 6am.

Both women were given 10-week curfews from 10pm until 6am.

RSPCA inspector Rob Hartley said after the hearing: “The case highlights the problems associated with unlicensed breeding and puppy farming in the UK. The sentence handed out by the district judge today reflects the seriousness of the matter.

“This kind of activity is motivated purely by greed and financial gain with scant regard to the welfare and subsequent suffering of animals being bred and sold.

“The RSPCA are hopeful that this kind of sentence sends out a clear message to anyone involved, or intending to be involved, in this sort of practice that severe penalties will be imposed.

“We’d also urge anyone considering buying a dog to do this through a reputable breeder and not to respond to internet or media adverts.”

An appeal was lodged against the sentence by all three defendents.

Mrs Whelan and Mrs Whelan-O’Brien have also lodged an appeal against their conviction, meaning the seizure of the dogs and banning order has currently been suspended.

The appeal hearing will take place at a later date.