Dolgellau men cause Unnecessary Suffering to pet Dogs

Two Dolgellau men have been disqualified from keeping dogs for five years after they caused unnecessary suffering to their pet dogs by failing to provide veterinary treatment. Andrew Lloyd Pugh of Tyn Y Coed, Ganllwyd, Dolgellau, and Dominic John Thomas of Ffordd Heulog, Dolgellau, appeared at Caernarfon Magistrates Court on Wednesday 16 November for sentencing.

It follows an earlier hearing on 19 October where each of the men pleaded guilty to one charge each under the Animal Welfare Act following an investigation into suspected wildlife crimes. Pugh pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a dark
brown/black female terrier known as Storm by failing to provide veterinary treatment in respect of severe dental disease.

Thomas pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a brown male terrier dog known as Charlie by failing to provide veterinary treatment in respect of a severe and infected facial injury on the right side of the dog’s face. Pugh was sentenced to a community order of 240 hours of unpaid work, ordered to pay a £95 victim surcharge and costs of £600. He was disqualified for five years from keeping dogs. An Animal Welfare Act section 35 order was made also for a female black Patterdale called Sally who is still owned by Pugh.

Thomas was sentenced to undertake a community order of 240 hours of unpaid work and was ordered to pay a £95 victim surcharge and costs of £600. He was disqualified from keeping dogs for five years. The court heard that police warrants were issued at the men’s addresses on 10 March of this year as part of the RSPCA’s special operations unit investigation known as Operation Epona.

At Pugh’s Ganllwyd address – Storm was found with extensive scarring to her face and lower jaw, and was exhibiting a degloving injury to her jaw. Storm was seized by police and placed into RSPCA care. At Thomas’ Ffordd Heulog address – five dogs were seized by police and remain in RSPCA care. One of these dogs was a terrier named Charlie who had infected fresh wounds on its muzzle as well as old scarring. It was also heard that as RSPCA officers approached the address they were informed that a man had thrown a dog over the fence and ran off with it when police executed the warrant.

North Wales Police later caught the man who ran off and returned the dog to the premises. In witness statements from vets in attendance at both warrants – which were presented to the court – it was stated that both Storm and Charlie suffered unnecessarily.
It was also stated in these reports that in their opinion the injuries seen to the lower jaw in both dogs have the “appearance of a typical injury resulting from those type of activities involving dogs and badgers”.

The six dogs in the care of the RSPCA will now be rehomed – this includes Storm and Charlie who were part of deprivation orders made in court.

Pictures of Charlie the dog whilst being treated for injuries below. VIEWER DISCRETION is advised.