JAMIE AND ADRIAN JAMES CONVICTED IN PLYMOUTH FOR ILLEGAL EAR CROPPING AND BACKYARD BREEDING

Convicted in 2022, Jamie James, born 10 June 1995, currently held at HMP Channings Wood, and his father Adrian James, born circa 1971 of Devonport Road, Plymouth, engaged in illegal ear cropping to increase profits.

Jamie James, a repeat offender and known cocaine addict with prior convictions for Class A drug dealing and domestic violence, pleaded guilty to three animal welfare offences following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA. Adrian James was also convicted, though it was claimed in court that he played a "lesser role" in the cruelty and profiteering. The pair operated under the business name Southwest Dogfather.

RSPCA officers executed a search warrant in September 2021 after police investigations uncovered evidence of puppies with illegally cropped ears.

During the search, officers found a female grey merle pocket bully with cropped ears and a tan and white male pocket bully, also with cropped ears. RSPCA Inspector Pippa Boyd noted that the bleeding visible on the dogs indicated recent cropping, as the wounds were not fully healed.

The men presented dog passports, but these lacked proper vaccination stamps or details confirming legal importation. Additionally, the date of birth on the passports appeared to have been altered.

Phone records showed that the dogs were being sold for profit via Gumtree, with the pair sharing a business logo. WhatsApp messages and videos exchanged between Jamie and his father confirmed that the dogs had been bred under their care and that their ears had been cropped.

In one message from August 8, 2021, Jamie shared videos showing puppies with freshly cropped ears, just hours after sharing clips of the same dogs with their ears intact. Earlier communications revealed that Jamie had traveled to Gloucestershire with the dogs earlier that day.

Further messages discussed the ear cropping process, including the use of a tool to remove staples and administering a substance to aid staple removal. Videos and photos depicted the dogs' reactions and a staple that had been removed.

Beth James, Jamie’s sister, was also believed to be involved in backyard breeding and owns a dog with cropped ears.

The pair also exchanged messages about online listings and the profits made from other dog sales.

In a recorded conversation, Jamie stated: "You get top money if you get their ears done. That’s what I’m going to do."

Regarding sentencing, Jamie James received a 12-month prison sentence along with costs and charges totaling £756. He faces a 20-year disqualification from owning animals but may appeal after 15 years. Adrian James was sentenced to 120 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £695 in costs and charges. He is disqualified from keeping animals for 10 years but can appeal after seven.

Plymouth Live