CONVICTED (2024) | backyard bully breeders Matthew James Cooke aka MJ Cooke, born c. 1989, and Nicole Louise Hooper, born 14 September 1993, both of Hughes Avenue, Barnstaple EX32 9LW – for unspecified cruelty to five puppies. Both pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to five puppies plus two further offences under the Animal Welfare Act. The offences too place between 1 May 2023 and 15 May 2023. Cooke was given a 10-week custodial sentence suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay costs of £400. He was disqualified from keeping animals for 20 years. Hooper was given a one-year community order and ordered to pay a fine of £50 and £400 costs. DevonLive (court round-up)