EUGENE DALY OF DUNGANNON BUSTED FOR ILLEGAL PUPPY TRANSPORTATION IN NORTHERN IRELAND AND BRITAIN

Eugene Daly, a notorious puppy farmer based in Dungannon, has been brought to justice following a series of illegal activities involving the transportation of young, unwell puppies from Northern Ireland to Great Britain. Born on April 6, 1982, Daly resides at 88 Derryfubble Road in Dungannon, a town known for its rural landscape and close-knit community.

As the operator of Hillside Kennels Ltd and Daly Transport Ltd, Daly held a license issued by Mid-Ulster Council that permitted him to keep and breed over 200 dogs. Despite this, authorities uncovered serious violations of animal welfare and transportation laws during a routine inspection. Daly was fined after admitting to a charge of ‘transporting a dog not fit for the journey,’ a violation that raised concerns about the welfare of the puppies involved.

The investigation was part of a broader initiative called Operation Paws for Thought, led by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). This multi-agency effort aims to combat the illegal puppy trafficking trade, which often involves low-welfare conditions and fraudulent documentation. During the operation, authorities examined a shipment of puppies linked to Daly at Belfast Port. The inspection revealed that the paperwork accompanying the puppies was not only inaccurate but also deliberately fraudulent, with false destination addresses provided to conceal the true nature of the transport.

Veterinary examinations of the puppies uncovered disturbing conditions. Some of the young dogs were found to be younger than the eight-week minimum age required for transport, indicating that they were being moved prematurely. Many of the puppies appeared poorly socialized, with extended tummies and a pot-bellied appearance consistent with worm infestations. The bedding in their cages was heavily soiled and wet, contradicting Daly’s claims that the puppies had only been loaded onto the transport less than two hours prior to inspection.

Further investigations revealed that Daly’s activities extended beyond mere transportation. His partner, Sandra Millar, who resides on Stiloga Road in Eglish, Dungannon, is alleged to be involved in selling the puppies on his behalf. Millar, a dog groomer operating under the name Happy Tails, is accused of marketing farmed puppies as if they were home-bred, falsely claiming they were raised locally to deceive buyers. This practice is part of a wider pattern of deception used by puppy farmers to increase sales and profits.

In court, Daly pleaded guilty to the charges and was subsequently fined £400, along with a £15 offender levy. The case highlights ongoing concerns about the illegal puppy trade in Northern Ireland and the importance of strict enforcement of animal welfare laws to prevent such cruelty and deception from continuing.