Puppy farmers banned from having dogs after dozens mistreated in their care

FOUR SENTENCED FOLLOWING 'PROLONGED NEGLECT' OF DOZENS OF ANIMALS

- By LOUIS CORBET!

A DERBYSHIRE man is among four animal breeders handed suspended sentences and banned from having dogs after it was found they were running a puppy farm that left pets suffering physical and mental abuse.

The four breeders, Edward Swind-ells, 50, and Donna Dickens, 62, both of The Clays, Brant Broughton, Peter William Dickens, 67, of Yeave-ley, Derbyshire, and Amy Allen, 42, of Jericho Road, Balderton, appeared in Nottingham Magistrates’ Court for sentencing on August 14.

They were responsible for running “Little Rascals” or “Puppies at Home” when the RSPCA launched its inquiry into their practices.

They found that a number of dogs on their site were being exposed to prolonged periods of abuse, and when inspectors visited the site, they discovered a number were also suffering from psychological distress.