CAWLEY FAMILY & ASSOCIATES SHOCKING PUPPY FARMING RING IN MILTON KEYNES AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

Thirteen individuals linked to an extensive and highly organized puppy trafficking operation based in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, have been sentenced to over 18 years in prison collectively, marking one of the most significant crackdowns on animal cruelty and fraud in recent UK history.

These defendants, including members of the Irish traveller Cawley family originating from Mullacreevie Park, County Armagh, orchestrated a sophisticated scheme to import and sell sick puppies across Buckinghamshire and beyond. The operation involved importing puppies from southern Ireland, often under fraudulent circumstances, and then selling them to unsuspecting members of the public, many of whom faced devastating veterinary bills and emotional distress.

Among those involved were Margaret Cawley, her husband John Cawley, Joseph Cawley Senior, Joseph Cawley Junior, Annalise Cawley, and others including John O’Brien and his wife Mary O’Brien, Daniel and James Yeboah, Mary Ward, Austin Paice, and Rebecca Hall. The court proceedings revealed that ten of these individuals pleaded guilty to charges of fraud, with nine also admitting to animal welfare offences, and three more admitting solely to animal welfare violations.

Sentencing saw seven defendants receive immediate imprisonment, with the total jail time surpassing 18 years — a record for the RSPCA’s investigations into animal cruelty. The sentences ranged from suspended terms to several years behind bars. Lead RSPCA investigator Michelle Hare described the investigation as a result of a large, multi-agency effort targeting a complex puppy farming network operating within the Milton Keynes area.

According to her, the Cawley family led the operation, breeding and importing puppies illegally, then using third-party 'frontmen' to sell these animals to the public. The conditions in which the dogs were kept were appalling; many were housed in lorry containers and the backs of vans, often suffering from untreated health issues such as fur loss, ear infections, and dental diseases. The puppies were sold in these deplorable environments, with some being sold with fraudulent vaccination certificates, leaving new owners unaware of their true health status.

Between June and November 2019, numerous complaints from the Milton Keynes area prompted investigations by the RSPCA and Trading Standards. It was discovered that the gang smuggled multiple dogs into the UK daily from Ireland, keeping them in filthy conditions. Some puppies succumbed to their illnesses, and others were sold with falsified vaccination records. Initial investigations were isolated, but as evidence accumulated, links between various addresses and individuals became clear, leading to a coordinated effort involving police and local authorities.

In March 2020, authorities executed warrants at six locations, including a storage unit and unregistered vehicles at the Willen Road travellers’ site in Newport Pagnell and Avon House in Bletchley. During these raids, officers seized 54 dogs, including breeds such as cocker spaniels, schnauzers, chihuahuas, springer spaniels, Labradors, beagles, and poodles. Inspector Hare described the scene as overwhelming, with most dogs kept in unsuitable conditions, housed in trailers and storage containers, many suffering from untreated health problems like infections, fur loss, and injuries caused by hazards such as nails and sharp wires.

The investigation uncovered evidence of illegal breeding, including the presence of pregnant bitches and newborn puppies, some only 48 hours old. Seized items included empty vaccination vials, needles, flea and worming treatments, and blank vaccination sheets matching those given to puppy buyers. Interviews with the Cawley family and associated 'frontmen' revealed their involvement in the illegal trade, with some claiming ignorance of ownership details.

Further intelligence in October 2020 linked the operation to imported Irish puppies sold online, with evidence pointing to Michael Cawley and others. Police also traced a vehicle ferrying puppies from Belfast to Liverpool and later from Holyhead to Dublin, with the contact details matching those used in online advertisements for the puppies.

One witness, after viewing a Dalmatian puppy advertised for rehoming, noted the puppy’s poor health and found the same images used in different ads with different sellers. This pattern indicated widespread deception and exploitation within the puppy sales network.

On 4 November 2020, police and RSPCA officers returned to Willen Road, where they found a variety of dogs in deplorable conditions, including a collie, cocker spaniel, and several puppies. The environment was cold, dark, and unsuitable, with dirty water and bedding, and the puppies showed signs of infections and bloated abdomens. The owner, Joseph Cawley Senior, claimed the puppies belonged to a cousin, but refused to provide further details, leading to the seizure of the animals.

Sentencing details revealed harsh penalties for the offenders. Annalise Cawley received a 12-month suspended prison sentence and a 10-year ban on owning animals. John Cawley was sentenced to three and a half years in prison, while Joseph Cawley Senior received three years and nine months. Other members received sentences ranging from community orders to suspended prison terms, with many disqualified from owning animals for ten years.

The court also ordered the destruction of ten seized mobile phones and forfeited £16,000 in cash, which will be distributed to victims. The total costs awarded to the RSPCA amounted to over £100,000. All seized dogs are now in the care of the RSPCA, in foster homes, and are available for rehoming.

Judge Francis Sheridan emphasized the severity of the case, stating, ‘Not one of the defendants in this case should ever be given a license to breed animals. The effects referred to in this case cannot be regarded by the public as anything other than utterly abhorrent. This is a trade in cruelty and misery for the animals and the human beings who sought to buy them. The protection of the public must be foremost in my mind. This is a massive industry and that is all it is, an industry of misery.’

The judge also issued a warning to consumers to exercise caution when purchasing puppies online, particularly through platforms like Pets4Homes, which had been exploited to facilitate these illegal sales. The case highlights the ongoing battle against animal cruelty and illegal puppy farming in the UK, with authorities committed to dismantling such networks and protecting vulnerable animals from exploitation.