JAMIE PARVIZI'S CRUEL PUPPY FARMING SCAM IN SCHOLAR GREEN REVEALED

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Scholar Green, Jamie Parvizi, also known by his trading name 'Tinypom,' was found guilty of operating a large-scale illegal puppy farming operation. Born on June 5, 1979, and residing at Stone Chair Lane in Scholar Green, Stoke-on-Trent, Parvizi engaged in deceitful practices that led to the suffering and death of numerous innocent dogs.

Parvizi's scheme involved selling puppies under false pretenses, claiming they were healthy, purebred Pomeranians. In reality, the animals were kept in deplorable conditions, primarily confined in the downstairs toilet of his residence. Families who purchased these puppies believed they were acquiring healthy pets, only to discover shortly afterward that the animals were gravely ill. Many of these dogs succumbed to their illnesses, leaving buyers devastated and facing exorbitant veterinary bills.

One particularly heartbreaking account involved a family who paid £750 for a puppy intended for their six-year-old twin daughters. The family spent over £5,000 on veterinary treatments in an attempt to save the dog, which was diagnosed with parvovirus. Despite their efforts, the puppy died, highlighting the tragic consequences of Parvizi's fraudulent activities.

During the court proceedings, Parvizi admitted to 13 counts of fraud committed over a span of two years. He also pleaded guilty to seven charges of causing unnecessary suffering to animals and one count of neglecting to take reasonable steps to ensure proper care for the animals under his control. The case was heard at Stoke Crown Court, where Judge Simon Berkson described the operation as a 'sophisticated fraud.'

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Berkson emphasized the extent of the deception, stating, 'You were misleading the public as to the health and welfare of the pups you were selling. Your primary goal was to make money, regardless of the animals' suffering.' He further noted that the victims not only lost their money but also their pets, and the animals endured significant distress and pain. The judge highlighted the meticulous planning involved, the prolonged duration of the scam, and the large number of victims affected.

Investigations revealed that an individual higher up in the operation was responsible for placing advertisements in newspapers and online platforms to attract buyers. These advertisements were designed to give the impression that the puppies were bred by Parvizi himself. Prosecutor Hazel Stevens pointed out that buyers were presented with fabricated paperwork, leading them to believe the dogs' origins were legitimate. In reality, the true background and health status of the puppies were unknown, and no verifiable documentation existed.

As part of the crackdown, authorities seized ten puppies from Parvizi's residence when police and RSPCA officers executed a warrant. The animals were subsequently cared for by the RSPCA, although sadly, one of the puppies died during the process. The remaining animals were in poor health, with some exhibiting discharge from their eyes and noses, and one puppy was found collapsed and lethargic. The animals were kept in various conditions, including purpose-built pods in the garden and inside the house.

Parvizi's former wife, Hayley Potts, also known as Hayley Moore, who has a prior conviction for benefit fraud, was given a caution and a ten-year ban from keeping animals due to her involvement in the illegal puppy trade. The case took several years to build, with reports dating back to October 2014, when a Facebook user warned others about the operation. The user described how puppies were shipped from southern Ireland, where a large-scale puppy mill was believed to operate, and then trafficked illegally into the UK and possibly the USA.

The RSPCA's Acting Chief Inspector Jayne Bashford explained that the investigation was prompted by numerous complaints from distressed customers. She detailed how the authorities uncovered the extent of the operation, rescuing ten Pomeranians from Parvizi's property in Scholar Green. She described the conditions in which the animals were kept, including two adult dogs confined in a downstairs toilet and puppies housed in various locations around the house and garden. Many of the animals were in poor health, with some showing signs of severe lethargy and discharge.

Judge Berkson sentenced Parvizi to 33 months in prison and imposed a lifetime ban on keeping animals. The case underscores the ongoing fight against puppy farming across the UK, a practice that the RSPCA continues to combat vigorously. The case serves as a stark reminder of the cruelty involved in illegal puppy mills and the importance of vigilance among prospective pet owners to avoid falling victim to such scams.