COURT CASES

HESSIN

A father and son who kept over 50 dogs in appalling conditions on a puppy farm have been given a 10-year ban owning dogs and ordered to serve 300 hours of community service.

49-year-old Samuel Ronald Hessin and 22-year-old Samuel Arthur Hessin of Balnamoon, Crossroads, previously pled guilty to failing to provide veterinary treatment or a suitable living environment for the dogs, at Elgin Sheriff Court on 6 June. They were sentenced at the same court on 7 July.

In a joint effort with Moray Council and Police Scotland, our inspectors raided their property after concerns were raised about animals on-site.

Whilst 56 dogs were seized during the initial raid, two were pregnant at the time and we ended up caring for 78 dogs in total. One of the pregnant dogs sadly died giving birth at one of our animal rescue and rehoming centres. Animal care experts believe it was her third pregnancy of the year.

Scottish SPCA chief superintendent Mike Flynn said: “Securing a conviction is a great result, but we believe anyone convicted of running a puppy farm should get a life ban on owning animals. Individuals prepared to put profit before welfare to an extent that dogs get seriously ill should not be allowed to keep animals.”

These dogs were kept in horrendous conditions which were ripe for causing horrific disease and suffering. Thankfully, due to the care and dedication of our animal care teams we were able to successfully rehabilitate the remaining dogs and find them loving homes.

DAVIES

28-year-old Rhys Davies was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to four dogs under his care and keeping or training dogs for the purposes of animal fights.

He was sentenced to eight months in prison and a 15-year ban on owning or keeping animals in August.

With support from Police Scotland, the Scottish SPCA executed a warrant at Turnabrae house on Millden Estate in Angus in October 2019, where Davies worked as a gamekeeper at the time.

The SIU visited Davies’ address in October 2019, where 11 dogs were being kept in kennels and an outbuilding. A vet in attendance confirmed some of the dogs had fresh and historic injuries and disfigurement likely caused by fighting wild animals such as badgers and foxes. A collar inside the property tested positive for badger DNA. Patterdale terrier Lola had fresh injuries to her mouth and lower jaw. Pip, another Patterdale, had older scars across her muzzle, face and chest and a fresh wound still healing. Evidence was found to suggest that Davies had attempted to treat the injuries himself. Scottish SPCA chief superintendent Mike Flynn said: “Our special investigations unit lead the way when it comes to taking on these organised, brutal groups involved in animal fights. This was an incredibly sophisticated investigation which made it plain as day the accused was guilty and helped to uncover a wider network of individuals involved in heinous animal fights. dogs to bait and maim wildlife that they will be punished for it.

“No animal deserves to be subjected to any pain or suffering, let alone at the level Mr. Davies subjected his own dogs and wild animals to.”