Two prize-winning dog breeders have been convicted on animal welfare charges after loading 13 pedigree Airedale terriers into the back of a poorly-ventilated removal van in sweltering heat.
The couple, Alan Weatherley, 65, and Julie Weatherely,59, of Beech Hill Cottage, Misson Springs, Doncaster, South Yorkshire were swooped on by police while moving from their former home.
The Kennel Club-accredited breeders, who placed at Crufts in 2005, fought the case, but were convicted at Croydon Magistrates' Court of failing in their duty to ensure animal welfare in Avenue Road, Belmont, Surrey on August 2, last year.
In 28.8 degree heat all the dogs (pictured) were unloaded into the street and the Weatherley's were forced to make the 200 mile journey without them.
The animals were temporarily rehoused by the police.
Prosecutor Mr. Sam Clyndes told the court: "Police were called to the defendants address and outside was a large van.
"In the back of the van were stacks of cages containing the dogs who were moving to Doncaster.
"The dogs were not in a suitable environment and given the heat of the day and the fact they were not provided with water meant they suffered further."
Concerned neighbours raised the alarm and police unloaded the van and gave the dogs water, telling the court the terriers "lapped up" the refreshment.
A police dog handler said the animals should not have remained in such conditions for more than twenty minutes and estimated the Doncaster journey time at five hours.
"Some of these dogs must have been in there for quite a considerable time, certainly more than twenty minutes," said Mr. Clyndes.
"You can come to the conclusion they may have been suffering," he told the magistrates. "They may have been dehydrated, which is illustrated by the fact they lapped up the water when they were removed from the van."
Mr. Weatherley told the court he planned to stop every thirty minutes to walk the dogs during the long journey and was trying to avoid over-watering them before setting-off.
"We have taken them to and from shows in these cages before without any problems," he said. "We were moving to larger kennels and a happier environment for the dogs.
"The dog-handler suggested we hire two mini-buses and take the seats out, but I don't think the hire company would be very happy about that.
"They were put in the van to get them off the premises. That is not how they were going to travel.
"We were going to walk and feed them and load them into the van later when it was cooler."
He denied dehydrating the dogs. "In hot weather you must not give them copious amounts of water. That is just as dangerous as not giving them enough water.
"They were used to travelling in these cages and they were not stressed at all. Air-conditioned vans do not exist."
However, Mr. Clyndes rejected the defendant's explanation suggesting: "You, Mr. Weatherley decided cost and time would take priority over the welfare of the dogs."
The magistrates convicted the couple on one charge each under the Animal Welfare Act and Mr. Weatherley was fined £175, with £400 costs and ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge.
His wife was fined £100, with £200 costs and ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge.
No comments:
Post a Comment