CONVICTED (2018) | backyard breeder Teresa Reynolds, born c. 1963, of Long Furlong Drive, Slough SL2 2PR – kept dogs and cats in dirty and undersized cages. 23 dogs and cats were removed from backyard breeder Reynolds’ property. Two dead puppies were found in a bin. Reynolds was convicted of 11 offences of failing to ensure animal welfare. She  was prosecuted after a complaint regarding the breeding and selling animals was investigated by the neighbourhood services team of Slough Borough Council (SBC) in 2017. The court heard how council and Thames Valley Police officers were overwhelmed by the smell of faeces and urine and the sheer number of animals in Reynolds two-bedroom council home. When Reynolds was asked how many pets there were, she did not know. Pugs, poodles, cocker spaniels, Yorkshire terriers, shih-tzus and chihuahuas were among the animals found. SBC Neighbourhood manager Ian Blake told the court how he found 16 dogs stacked up in dirty cages that were too small for them and had no access to water. Some of the animals were caged in pairs. More animals were found in the garden including a large poodle, who had no access to the property due to a stairgate blocking the way. The only water present for her was in a bucket which contained other items. Four cats were discovered in a bird aviary in the garden, whose overflowing litter trays were placed next to their water bowls. The only clean crate found with bedding, food and water inside, contained no animal. During the trial, it was revealed that officers found two dead puppies in a wheelie bin outside the house. Reynolds told Mr Blake that she had been unable to feed them after their mother had died. All 23 cats and dogs were removed from the property and transported to the Summerleaze Veterinary Hospital in Maidenhead, where it was noted that several dogs were heavily soiled, two of the female cats were pregnant. A tom cat’s fur was so heavily matted it needed to be shaved to prevent long-term suffering. Documents seized from the home indicated that Reynolds was selling animals from her home and that more than 250 animals had been handled within the property over two years. Receipts were found for dogs being sold for £1,200, £900 and various other amounts, as well as bank statements with transactions indicating the sale of puppies and kittens. Complaints about Reynolds breeding and selling animals have dated back to 2010, but this was the first time there was evidence for a prosecution. The council’s fraud team became involved, who discovered that Reynolds had failed to update the benefits team that she was receiving income from her trading. As a result, she was additionally found guilty of two counts of fraud after falsely claiming benefits. Having been signed over to the council, all the animals have been re-homed and are doing well. Sentence: 12-month community order, 120 hours of unpaid work, a 15 day rehabilitation requirement, £2,000 in legal costs.  Seven-year ban on owning any animal (expires August 2025). Slough Express