ROBERT LEES FROM STOURBRIDGE CONVICTED FOR CRUELTY TO PUPPIES INVOLVING TAIL DOCKING

In a case that has drawn attention to animal welfare violations in the West Midlands, Robert Lees, a resident of Stourbridge, was found guilty of cruelty towards five spaniel puppies at his home located at 27 Stepping Stones, Stourbridge DY8 1JZ. The incident came to light after an animal welfare officer from Dudley Council conducted a routine inspection of Lees' property, uncovering disturbing evidence of illegal tail docking.

According to court proceedings, the officer discovered five puppies that appeared to have had their tails deliberately docked. The puppies, all of the spaniel breed, showed signs consistent with tail docking, a practice that is illegal in England and Wales unless performed under specific veterinary conditions. Lees, who owned the puppies, admitted to the offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 during the hearing held on April 6.

During the court session, Lees explained that the litter of puppies was unplanned and denied any professional involvement in dog breeding. He claimed that he was advised by an associate that docking the tails would enhance the puppies' attractiveness as working dogs and facilitate their re-homing process. According to Lees, he paid someone £10 per puppy to carry out the tail docking, but he was unable to produce any official documentation or certificates to verify this.

Nick Powell, the head of environmental health and trading standards at Dudley Council, issued a statement emphasizing the council’s stance on animal cruelty. He said, “The council will not tolerate any actions that cause unnecessary suffering to animals. Where we do find it, we will not hesitate to take the appropriate legal action.”

It is important to note that while tail docking is generally prohibited in England and Wales, certain breeds such as spaniels, terriers, and those used for hunting, pointing, and retrieving are exempt from the ban if the procedure is performed by a veterinarian within the first five days of the puppies' lives. To legally dock tails of these breeds, the owner or breeder must provide proof that the puppies are bred for work, which involves showing a gun license or a letter from a land occupier confirming the dogs' working status. Additionally, the puppies must be microchipped, and the veterinarian must sign certificates confirming that the docking and microchipping were carried out in accordance with legal requirements.

In Lees' case, he failed to produce any such paperwork or certificates, which contributed to his conviction. The court sentenced him to a 12-month community order, which includes 100 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay costs amounting to approximately £900. Notably, the court did not impose a ban on owning or breeding dogs following this conviction.

This case underscores the ongoing efforts by local authorities to combat illegal animal practices and promote animal welfare standards across the region, particularly in areas like Stourbridge where such incidents have raised public concern.