CONVICTED (2019) | puppy farmers Mandy Jeanette Allinson, born 7 October 1966, and Michael ‘Mick’ Connolly, born 7 March 1963, both of Fotherley Farm, Grosmont, Whitby YO22 5QJ – kept dogs and cats in squalor. Animals in the care of puppy farmers Mandy Allinson and Mick Connolly lived in their own excrement in a filthy barn at their farm near Whitby. Allinson and Connolly admitted three breaches of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 in relation to two pet dogs, plus 18 other dogs and three cats not provided with a suitable living environment. Police and RSPCA inspectors were alerted to the farm after a number of people bought puppies which fell ill or were found to be riddled with worms or fleas. And they discovered dozens of animals being kept in appalling conditions at what was found to be an unregistered, unlicensed business. The court heard a cocker spaniel called Dexter was barely recognisable because his severely-matted fur made him look like “a big ball of fur”. He had to be anaesthetised to be clipped by a vet, and the fur removed weighed 1.4kg. The court heard that the animals got into that state because Allinson and Connolly suffered a variety of health problems, including diabetes and depression. Speaking after the hearing RSPCA Inspector Claire Little, who led the investigation, said: “We received a number of calls from members of the public who had bought puppies from the premises and, once home, they’d fallen ill or their new families had discovered they were riddled with fleas and worms. “This couple were running an unregistered, unlicensed business breeding dogs and they were not properly protecting the dogs’ welfare and health.” When officers raided the property they found 40 dogs and puppies, three cats and a guinea pig at the address. All of the animals were removed. “The puppies were all being kept inside the house while the adult dogs were kept out in a barn,” Inspector Little added. “It was cold, dark, dank and filthy in the barn. Some dogs were kept in cramped, dirty cages stacked on top of each other, while other dogs were in disgusting kennels covered in dirt and faeces. It absolutely stank inside the barn, it was hell. “The dogs were yellow with urine stains and covered in fleas. Many were riddled with worms and suffering from nasty diseases like giardia, campylobacter and coccidia.” French bulldogs, collies, cocker spaniels, poodles and fashionable crossbreeds, such as cockerpoos, were taken into RSPCA care. “This couple were clearly trying to cash in on the popularity of designer dogs such as cockerpoos but they were failing to meet these dogs’ basic needs and many were seriously poorly,” Inspector Little said. “It was overcrowded, the disease control was poor and many of the dogs had matted coats and untreated open wounds. The floor was caked in faeces and water bowls were empty and upturned. “Some had nasty skin infections and had made themselves bleed from constant scratching. One of the dogs had almost 2kg of matted fur removed.” A guinea pig was found in a cage in one barn and three cats were found running loose in another barn on the site. Sentencing: 10-week prison term, suspended for a year. Banned from keeping cats for seven years (expires June 2026). Gazette Live BBC News