STACY MCPHEE INVERURIE PUPPY FARM SCANDAL: HORRIFIC ILLNESS AND DECEPTION IN ABERDEEN AREA

Stacy McPhee, also known by the alias Ashley Dentley, a resident of Inverurie, has been found guilty of multiple charges related to the sale of puppies suffering from severe health issues. Born on August 27, 1997, McPhee’s activities involved selling puppies through online platforms such as Gumtree, where she falsely claimed that the animals had been vet-checked and microchipped. Her actions have caused significant distress and suffering to the animals and financial loss to their new owners.

McPhee, a traveller by background, engaged in a series of deceptive practices, selling puppies under false pretenses. She claimed that the dogs, including Brodie, Alfredo, and Roxy, had been examined by veterinarians and were fit for sale. However, the reality was starkly different. All three puppies were found to be suffering from serious health conditions, including heart murmurs, Giardia, and pneumonia. One of the puppies was even observed shaking uncontrollably due to pneumonia, which McPhee dismissed as a mere cough caused by her explanation of having a “short nose.”

The first incident involved a couple who responded to an advertisement McPhee posted under the false name “Sarah” on Gumtree, offering cockapoo puppies for £600. The ad claimed all puppies were microchipped and vet-checked. The couple visited McPhee’s address in Ellon on December 10, 2019, to view the puppies. During the visit, McPhee assured them she would consult her vet for vaccination details and provided a microchip card and number. They purchased a puppy named Brodie, but soon after bringing him home, they noticed he was constantly scratching his ears. A visit to Ashgrove Vets revealed ear mites, a heart murmur, and the absence of a microchip. The vet expressed concerns that Brodie might have originated from a puppy farm.

Within days, Brodie’s health deteriorated further. The owners paid £455 in veterinary bills after discovering he had diarrhea and was passing blood. A subsequent vet visit confirmed Brodie was suffering from Giardia, a parasitic infection, and he had likely not been vaccinated. The vet noted that Brodie had been in considerable discomfort for some time while on the breeder’s premises. Despite attempts to contact McPhee to inform her of Brodie’s worsening condition and to receive vaccination details, she failed to respond.

The second incident involved another couple who responded to a Gumtree ad under the name “Arron,” offering Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Bichon Frise cross puppies for £550. They visited the same address in Ellon on December 29, 2019, and were told the puppies were microchipped and vaccinated. They purchased a puppy named Alfredo, but shortly after bringing him home on January 3, 2020, Alfredo exhibited symptoms of bloody diarrhea. A veterinary examination at Mintlaw revealed that Alfredo had a heart murmur, Giardia, and an intestinal infection called Isosproa. The vet concluded Alfredo had suffered unnecessarily due to poor conditions on the breeder’s premises, with signs indicating he had been unwell for days before sale. The owners paid nearly £300 for treatment but received no response from McPhee when they tried to inform her of Alfredo’s condition.

The third case involved a prospective buyer responding to a Gumtree ad for “King Charles” puppies in Aberdeen, priced at £550. The viewing was scheduled for January 27, 2020. McPhee claimed the puppy, named Roxy, had been vet checked. During the visit, the buyer noticed Roxy had a cough, which McPhee attributed to her “short nose,” and that her mother was the same. The buyer purchased Roxy, but on the journey home, she began to shake uncontrollably. An emergency veterinary assessment diagnosed her with severe aspiration pneumonia and signs of Giardia. Roxy was hospitalized for several days at a cost of £500, with the vet warning that she might face lifelong health issues due to her poor start in life. Again, McPhee did not respond to attempts to contact her regarding Roxy’s health.

McPhee ultimately pleaded guilty to three charges of causing puppies unnecessary suffering by neglecting their health and failing to seek veterinary care. During her court appearance at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, her defense agent, Jennifer Pritchard, explained that her client’s partner had pressured her into breeding the puppies, leaving her with little choice. Pritchard expressed that McPhee was “extremely regretful” and “ashamed” of the suffering inflicted on the animals and the distress caused to their owners. She also mentioned that McPhee had faced negative consequences after her address was published on social media.

Sheriff Margaret Hodge sentenced McPhee to a six-month supervision order and imposed a three-year ban on keeping dogs, which will expire in August 2024. As McPhee left the court, she covered her face and remained silent when asked if she was sorry for the suffering caused to the dogs. The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) welcomed the sentence, emphasizing that the three-year ban was a crucial measure to prevent her from reoffending. An SSPCA spokeswoman stated, “We welcome the sentence and the three-year ban is an ideal disruption tactic for someone such as McPhee who was a prolific offender and caused immeasurable heartbreak to people who bought sick animals from her. We would urge members of the public not to buy from individuals like McPhee as no thought is given to the welfare of the animal; only how much money can be made.”