BETTY BURTON AND JEFF MCDONAGH'S PUPPY FARM FRAUD IN TELFORD AND MANCHESTER REVEALED
| Red Rose Database
Telford Animal Abuser
In a detailed investigation that spanned several years, Betty Chanelle Burton and Jeff James McDonagh, both residents of Telford, were found guilty of orchestrating a large-scale puppy farming scam that defrauded unsuspecting members of the public out of approximately £250,000. The duo, operating from their base at McDonagh Lodge in Arleston Brook, Telford TF1 2LA, engaged in the breeding and sale of sickly puppies, including breeds such as cavapoos, French bulldogs, and cocker spaniels, many of which succumbed shortly after being purchased.
According to court records, out of the 42 puppies sold by Burton and McDonagh, 15 tragically died, and all required extensive veterinary care due to various illnesses and health issues. The pair faced charges of conspiracy to commit fraud, alongside animal welfare violations, including causing unnecessary suffering and neglecting the basic needs of the animals in their care. Despite the severity of their crimes, both individuals avoided immediate imprisonment. McDonagh, who was reported to be suffering from mental health issues, received a suspended sentence, while Burton was also given a suspended sentence along with other penalties.
The RSPCA’s Special Operations Unit, a specialized team tasked with investigating serious and organized animal crimes, launched an extensive probe into the operation in 2017. The investigation was triggered by reports from buyers in the Greater Manchester area who had purchased puppies that appeared unwell. All the advertisements for these puppies had been posted on the Pets4Homes website, which was exploited by the suspects to lure buyers.
RSPCA SOU officer Kirsty Withnall, who led the investigation, explained that the adverts falsely claimed the puppies were offspring of family pets, born and socialized at home. The team initially spoke to 11 individuals connected to a property linked to Burton, where buyers were instructed to call a public phone box upon arrival to view the puppies. One buyer refused to purchase a puppy when it did not match the photo sent to her, was not with its mother, and appeared frightened and whimpering. Other buyers purchased various breeds, including cockapoos, cavapoos, dachshunds, and pomeranians.
Subsequent investigations uncovered a second Manchester address associated with Burton and McDonagh, where six members of the public had purchased puppies. Of these, three puppies died shortly after sale. The operation expanded further on October 25, 2017, to include a third Manchester property and five locations across Telford, all linked to the suspects. They sold a variety of breeds such as beagles, French bulldogs, cavapoos, dachshunds, cocker spaniels, and cavaliers. Payments were made into bank accounts registered to McDonagh, while telephone numbers linked to Burton were used to facilitate the scam.
Ms. Withnall highlighted the suspects’ professionalism and cunning, noting that they frequently moved between addresses to avoid suspicion. They employed different aliases in advertisements and on official paperwork, used false postcodes—some fabricated or linked to fast-food outlets—and falsified vaccination cards with Tippex to reuse them. Buyers were misled about the source, breed, age, and health status of the puppies they purchased.
Concerns about the welfare of dogs at a property in Telford led to a police warrant in November 2019, during which 55 dogs and puppies were seized on welfare grounds. An additional 26 puppies, born in RSPCA care, brought the total to 81 dogs. Many of these animals were found in filthy, inappropriate conditions, with some underweight and suffering from skin issues, untreated eye problems, and other health concerns. Burton and McDonagh were arrested at the property, with officers seizing cash, mobile phones, and paperwork. Investigators identified items matching those used in online puppy adverts from 2015 to 2018, which promoted 439 puppies under 22 different names, with a total sales value exceeding £253,885.
Public testimonies confirmed that 42 puppies were purchased for a combined sum of £21,580, with 15 of these puppies dying shortly after sale. All the dogs involved required veterinary treatment for various ailments. The court also heard that McDonagh has been suffering from serious mental health issues since the trial, which would likely prevent him from receiving adequate treatment in custody. The dogs, after being signed over to the RSPCA in December 2019, have since been rehomed.
In addition, Luke Gilman, a third individual linked to the case, is scheduled for sentencing later in 2021 for related offences. Following sentencing, RSPCA officer Kirsty Withnall commented on the operation, describing Burton and McDonagh as the masterminds behind a sophisticated scheme that operated across multiple addresses in Manchester and Telford. They used various aliases, phone numbers, and falsified documents to deceive buyers and profit from their illegal puppy trade.
Jeff McDonagh received a two-year suspended prison sentence, was disqualified from owning dogs for life, and ordered to undertake community service including mental health treatment and rehabilitation activities. Burton was sentenced to six months’ custody, suspended for a year, along with community service and a lifetime ban on keeping animals. She was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge. In April 2022, further proceedings mandated McDonagh to pay over £31,000 in benefits or face nine months in prison, while Burton was ordered to pay a nominal sum of £1, with a week’s imprisonment if unpaid. The court considered their financial circumstances, and the victims are expected to receive at least £22,090 of the proceeds from these fines.
It was also revealed that Jeff McDonagh is the sole director of Shropshire Driveways and Patios Ltd., and has links to a notorious Belfast-based puppy farming ring led by the Mongan family from the Poleglass area of Dunmurry, further highlighting his involvement in organized animal crime.
According to court records, out of the 42 puppies sold by Burton and McDonagh, 15 tragically died, and all required extensive veterinary care due to various illnesses and health issues. The pair faced charges of conspiracy to commit fraud, alongside animal welfare violations, including causing unnecessary suffering and neglecting the basic needs of the animals in their care. Despite the severity of their crimes, both individuals avoided immediate imprisonment. McDonagh, who was reported to be suffering from mental health issues, received a suspended sentence, while Burton was also given a suspended sentence along with other penalties.
The RSPCA’s Special Operations Unit, a specialized team tasked with investigating serious and organized animal crimes, launched an extensive probe into the operation in 2017. The investigation was triggered by reports from buyers in the Greater Manchester area who had purchased puppies that appeared unwell. All the advertisements for these puppies had been posted on the Pets4Homes website, which was exploited by the suspects to lure buyers.
RSPCA SOU officer Kirsty Withnall, who led the investigation, explained that the adverts falsely claimed the puppies were offspring of family pets, born and socialized at home. The team initially spoke to 11 individuals connected to a property linked to Burton, where buyers were instructed to call a public phone box upon arrival to view the puppies. One buyer refused to purchase a puppy when it did not match the photo sent to her, was not with its mother, and appeared frightened and whimpering. Other buyers purchased various breeds, including cockapoos, cavapoos, dachshunds, and pomeranians.
Subsequent investigations uncovered a second Manchester address associated with Burton and McDonagh, where six members of the public had purchased puppies. Of these, three puppies died shortly after sale. The operation expanded further on October 25, 2017, to include a third Manchester property and five locations across Telford, all linked to the suspects. They sold a variety of breeds such as beagles, French bulldogs, cavapoos, dachshunds, cocker spaniels, and cavaliers. Payments were made into bank accounts registered to McDonagh, while telephone numbers linked to Burton were used to facilitate the scam.
Ms. Withnall highlighted the suspects’ professionalism and cunning, noting that they frequently moved between addresses to avoid suspicion. They employed different aliases in advertisements and on official paperwork, used false postcodes—some fabricated or linked to fast-food outlets—and falsified vaccination cards with Tippex to reuse them. Buyers were misled about the source, breed, age, and health status of the puppies they purchased.
Concerns about the welfare of dogs at a property in Telford led to a police warrant in November 2019, during which 55 dogs and puppies were seized on welfare grounds. An additional 26 puppies, born in RSPCA care, brought the total to 81 dogs. Many of these animals were found in filthy, inappropriate conditions, with some underweight and suffering from skin issues, untreated eye problems, and other health concerns. Burton and McDonagh were arrested at the property, with officers seizing cash, mobile phones, and paperwork. Investigators identified items matching those used in online puppy adverts from 2015 to 2018, which promoted 439 puppies under 22 different names, with a total sales value exceeding £253,885.
Public testimonies confirmed that 42 puppies were purchased for a combined sum of £21,580, with 15 of these puppies dying shortly after sale. All the dogs involved required veterinary treatment for various ailments. The court also heard that McDonagh has been suffering from serious mental health issues since the trial, which would likely prevent him from receiving adequate treatment in custody. The dogs, after being signed over to the RSPCA in December 2019, have since been rehomed.
In addition, Luke Gilman, a third individual linked to the case, is scheduled for sentencing later in 2021 for related offences. Following sentencing, RSPCA officer Kirsty Withnall commented on the operation, describing Burton and McDonagh as the masterminds behind a sophisticated scheme that operated across multiple addresses in Manchester and Telford. They used various aliases, phone numbers, and falsified documents to deceive buyers and profit from their illegal puppy trade.
Jeff McDonagh received a two-year suspended prison sentence, was disqualified from owning dogs for life, and ordered to undertake community service including mental health treatment and rehabilitation activities. Burton was sentenced to six months’ custody, suspended for a year, along with community service and a lifetime ban on keeping animals. She was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge. In April 2022, further proceedings mandated McDonagh to pay over £31,000 in benefits or face nine months in prison, while Burton was ordered to pay a nominal sum of £1, with a week’s imprisonment if unpaid. The court considered their financial circumstances, and the victims are expected to receive at least £22,090 of the proceeds from these fines.
It was also revealed that Jeff McDonagh is the sole director of Shropshire Driveways and Patios Ltd., and has links to a notorious Belfast-based puppy farming ring led by the Mongan family from the Poleglass area of Dunmurry, further highlighting his involvement in organized animal crime.