ROCKY KNIGHT, FARNWORTH PUPPY FARMER, SENTENCED AFTER ATROCIOUS CONDITIONS AND SELLING SICK PUPPIES IN BOLTON

Rocky Knight, a man known for his involvement in puppy farming activities in Farnworth, Bolton, was convicted in 2017 of causing unnecessary suffering to animals under his care. Born on May 19, 1981, Knight resided on Masefield Drive in Farnworth and was notorious for keeping puppies in deplorable conditions before selling them to unsuspecting families.

His criminal activities came to light following an investigation initiated by the RSPCA in 2016, prompted by numerous complaints from members of the public. These individuals reported purchasing puppies from Knight that subsequently fell ill or, in some tragic cases, died shortly after being taken home. The investigation revealed the extent of the neglect and cruelty involved in his puppy farming operation.

One of the most distressing cases involved Phoebe, a pug who was found living in filthy, inhumane conditions. Fortunately, Phoebe survived her ordeal and was eventually rehomed. During a police raid, officers discovered two female dogs—a pug and a dachshund-cross—being kept in makeshift pens within an outbuilding located at the rear of Knight’s property. Inspector Pippa Boyd described the scene, stating, “We found a crossbreed called Patsy and Phoebe living in horrendous conditions in dark, dank, and cold pens with no warm bedding or dry areas off the floor. It was a completely inhumane environment to keep dogs.”

Thanks to timely intervention, the animals were rescued. Phoebe, who was suffering from severe itching and breathing problems, was taken into care and has since recovered. The RSPCA has arranged for her to be placed in a loving new home. Sadly, not all animals were so fortunate; the investigation uncovered the body of a small puppy wrapped in a plastic bag at Knight’s residence, highlighting the tragic consequences of his neglect.

Knight’s modus operandi involved advertising the dogs online, where he falsely presented himself as a responsible and reputable breeder. He would offer to deliver puppies directly to buyers or arrange clandestine meet-ups in car parks away from his home to avoid detection. This method allowed him to continue his illegal activities despite ongoing investigations.

During legal proceedings, Knight’s lawyer expressed remorse on his behalf, stating, “He is remorseful and, in his words, wishes he could turn back the clock. He accepts his culpability. He did not intend to sell sick puppies, but he admits that he failed to care for them properly.” The lawyer emphasized that Knight did not intentionally harm the animals but acknowledged his failure to recognize their suffering.

The dogs that survived and were cared for by staff at the RSPCA’s Warrington branch have already been rehomed, offering them a fresh start away from neglect. Inspector Boyd issued a warning to prospective pet owners, saying, “This should be a major flag to anyone looking to buy a puppy. A responsible breeder will be happy to let you visit the puppies in their environment, see them interacting with their mother, siblings, and people. We strongly advise considering adoption from a rescue centre instead.”

In sentencing, Rocky Knight received a 16-week jail term, along with a £150 victim surcharge. Additionally, he was disqualified from keeping animals for life, a measure intended to prevent him from reoffending and causing further harm to animals in the future.