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South Wales Guardian
3 days ago
- South Wales Guardian
Cross Hands man earned £218k from illegal dog breeding
Michael Watts, of Pontardulais Road, Cross Hands, was prosecuted following an investigation by Carmarthenshire County Council. He admitted to operating an unlicensed business breeding and selling Dobermanns between December 2019 and July 2023. He was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on June 20, 2025. The council found that Watts bred and sold at least 87 Dobermann puppies, earning an estimated £218,000 in profit. A spokesperson for Carmarthenshire County Council said: "This case highlights the council's commitment to protecting animal welfare and ensuring that dog breeding is carried out responsibly and legally. "Those who choose to operate outside the law put animals and the public at risk, and we will continue to take strong action against such practices." Despite being advised of licensing requirements in 2017, Watts only earned a licence in July 2023 after the investigation began. Puppies were advertised on Pets4Homes and Freeads, and the operation was found to be commercial rather than casual. Watts received a six-month conditional discharge and was ordered to pay £196,827.63 under a Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) confiscation order, £470 in investigation costs, and a £16 victim surcharge. The confiscation order, originally issued in May, remains in place after a request to reopen it was denied. A portion of the recovered funds will be returned to the council to cover investigation costs.
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Hysterics Over Moment Dog Realizes Owner Is at Groomer's
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Internet viewers can't get enough of this viral TikTok video showing the moment a dog realizes that it is time to go home while at the groomer's. The text layered over the clip reads: "POV [point of view]—Trying to see how long it will take my dog to notice me at the groomers." Racking up more than 1.2 million views, it shows a small white dog called Teddy lying down in a cage, with his head facing away from the door. But, within seconds, the 10-year-old dog turns to owner Rinadem @rinadem92, stands up, nods, and barks—as if to confirm he is indeed ready to go home. Newsweek discussed the video, which has 183,000 likes, with animal expert Axel Lagercrantz, who shared the importance of dog grooming. He said: "Primarily it's important for a dog's well-being, happiness and their general health. It can also be useful for detecting potential health issues like lumps, bumps or sores. This is especially true if your dog is shaggier or if they just love to roll around in the mud. "Other benefits include keeping the amount of hair they leave around the house under control, if they're a dog breed that sheds, and making sure their coat looks brilliant," Lagercrantz added. The average cost of a professional dog grooming session in the U.S. ranges from $40 to $75, depending on your pet's size. However, you can significantly cut this expense by opting to pamper and groom your canine at home. "This has the added benefit of improving your bond with your dog, but, sometimes, if your dog is of a certain breed or type, professional help is required," said Lagercrantz, the CEO and co-founder of Pets4Homes, the U.K.'s largest pet-rehoming site. Stock image: A small white dog is pampered at the groomer's. Stock image: A small white dog is pampered at the groomer's. Olga Rasskazova/iStock / Getty Images Plus Lagercrantz said that how often you should groom your dog depends greatly on the breed, their condition, and activity levels—as often as every six weeks for some canines, while once or twice a year is fine for others. "Puppies should be introduced to a grooming routine early on in their lives so they get used to being handled and fussed over. If every grooming session is a pleasant experience, they will look forward to the next one with relish," Lagercrantz concluded. While there is no denying that Teddy's coat is squeaky clean, TikTok users can't stop laughing at his haircut—as it looks just like a bob. "This Dora the Explorer cut is sending me [laughing faces]," read one comment with over 27,000 views. "The nod like 'well, get me the hell out of here,'" posted another, and a third user said: "Auditioning for the Beatles."
Daily Record
30-06-2025
- Daily Record
Student still in debt two years after buying dying pup from illegal pet trader
The animal lover was one of many victims of Julie Taylor, 41, who fronted a sales operation for a criminal gang running a puppy farm. A Scots student is still in debt two years on from taking out a bank loan to save a dying pup's life after buying it from an illegal trader. The animal lover was one of many victims of Julie Taylor, 41, who fronted a sales operation for a criminal gang running a puppy farm. Like other dogs Taylor sold, schnauser pup Fawn died of parvovirus after a three-day battle for life. But even in that short time the new owner ran up more than £4000 in vet fees. Taylor, of Stewarton, Ayshire, narrowly avoided jail for running a 'cruel' and 'abhorrent' trade in pups. But the student victim still mourns the loss of her pup. She said: 'For less than a three-day visit, Fawn's treatment racked up nearly £4000 debt in vet bills. 'It was a £650 asking price for a sick puppy I loved and barely got to see and £100 in deep cleaning fees so other dogs were safe to enter my house.' She added: 'Not only did Julie Taylor kill that poor, innocent girl – she put me in heaps of debt that continues to grow due to interest rates.' The Record told last week how Taylor kept tiny pups in a filthy toilet that was covered in faeces, leading to the spread of diseases like giardia and deadly parvo. Several pups are known to have died, including one bought by police officer Elaine McArthur, whose evidence led to the SSPCA busting Taylor. The student said Taylor had taken her cash and presented Fawn as the offspring of a family pet. The victim said she bought the pup after seeing an ad on website Pets4homes. She added: 'About 24 hours later Fawn stopped eating and had diarrhoea.' The pup didn't eat or drink for two days but was violently sick. The victim said: 'She died in my arms in a cold kennel attached to wires and tubes soiled in her own diarrhoea scared and in pain.' She said: 'As soon as I saw the Record's story I knew it was Julie Taylor who sold me the pup, even though she used another girl's name on the Pets4Homes account.' Taylor was banned from keeping animals for 10 years and given a community payback order after pleading guilty to fronting the commercial end of a puppy farm.
Daily Record
19-06-2025
- Daily Record
Scots cop takes down puppy farm after dog bought for her kids dies days later
Julie Taylor was caught red-handed with 16 terrified dogs, of various breeds, being held in a filthy toilet and covered in dog waste. An off-duty cop brought down a puppy farm operation after a tiny dog she bought for her children died just three days later. Elaine McArthur was among 20 people who bought puppies from Julie Taylor, who was selling dogs riddled with disease from her council house in Stewarton, Ayrshire. After enduring a three-day nightmare over a Christmas weekend, Elaine's cockapoo pup Marley fought for life then died of deadly parvo virus. Distraught mum Elaine turned the tables on Taylor by calling in SSPCA investigators, who raided the trader's home and shut the operation down. Taylor, 41, was caught red-handed with 16 terrified dogs, of various breeds, being held in a filthy toilet and covered in dog waste. Taylor admitted cruelty and operating without a licence, which saw her banned from keeping dogs for 10 years at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court yesterday. Police constable Elaine, from Kilmarnock, told how she was buying the pup for her 11-year-old twins Jack and Amy two days before Christmas in 2023. All three had fallen in love with the pup on sight. But after taking the pup home he fell ill with parvo virus and a vet had to put him to sleep three days later. Elaine said: 'The experience was very traumatic for all of us and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. It was a real ordeal for the family and it was all about these people making easy money. Amy was really badly affected by it all. She didn't want another dog because she was really broken hearted.' She added: 'The only positive thing I can say, which is also terrible, is that if I hadn't gone along there the pup might have died alone in what was effectively a cage, suffering a terrible death. I also hope that we managed to put these people out of business, although I'm sure the people supplying the pups will still be operating elsewhere.' Taylor had told customers on sites like Pets4Homes that the pups were the offspring of her family's pet. But the sales methods by sneaky Taylor – who allowed other sellers to use her home on David Dale Avenue – has been described as 'straight out of the handbook for puppy farm shop fronts' by an SSPCA inspector. Elaine – a PC with 30 years' experience – said alarm bells were sounded due to the bad smell in the house. She was swayed because she didn't want to go back to kids Amy and Jack without a pup. The police officer said Marley was frail when they got him home and started to cough up traces of blood. Elaine, 52, took Marley to the vet, where parvo virus was diagnosed. She told how she went straight to Stewarton to confront the seller, a woman who called herself Jackie. But she ended up face to face with Julie Taylor, to whom she'd transferred £800 to buy the pup. She said: 'I was really upset but I was also angry and I was determined to stop the same thing happening to other families. I went straight from the vet to Stewarton along with a friend and by the time I got there another couple had turned up at the door to buy another dog. I advised them to clear out because my dog had been diagnosed with parvo.' While Elaine was there, Taylor appeared and she said that Jackie was her sister. Elaine managed to get Taylor to refund the £800 she paid for the pup, as well as agree to pay the vet's bill of £1200. She said: 'I didn't say what I did for a living but I told her to go ahead and call whoever she liked, as I was doing everything I was entitled to – including calling the SSPCA.' Elaine was determined to see justice done and supported the investigation into Taylor – resulting in a conviction for animal abuse. Taylor admitted neglecting the pets and selling them without a licence and at her home between July 2023 and March 2024. She failed to take steps to ensure the needs of the animals were met from December 2023 to March 2024 at her home and elsewhere. Taylor also cruelly separated puppies from their mothers and failed to provide them with suitable and hygienic living conditions. She pleaded guilty, with not guilty pleas accepted regarding 20 further allegations. In court yesterday, Taylor's defence lawyer Graeme Cunningham said he could not deny that she was the front of an 'abhorrent' puppy farm operation, where dogs were badly treated then sold on for large amounts of cash. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Cunningham said his client had found herself in debt to criminals who masterminded the operation and was repaying the majority of her sordid profits to them. He said: 'This is a puppy farm in a council estate in Stewarton. It is a trade that the vast majority of decent people would think to be abhorrent.' The lawyer admitted that Taylor had been overwhelmed by the pups and was unable to care for them – despite having two dogs of her own that were allowed to sleep in her own bed. Passing sentence, Sheriff Morag Fraser said she would show mercy to Taylor for her good previous record but passed the most serious alternative available to her. She said: 'I have to think of animal protection. The condition of these dogs was awful and they must have suffered a great deal.' She banned Taylor for 10 years from keeping animals and imposed a Community Payback Order of 18 months, to include unpaid work of 240 hours. Taylor was ordered to wear a tag to restrict her movements for five months. She will also face a Proceeds of Crime investigation and could have thousands of pounds clawed back.
Scottish Sun
16-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Toddler mauled by Japanese fighting dog which couple bought online for £150
The child's injuries are 'getting worse' DOG HORROR Toddler mauled by Japanese fighting dog which couple bought online for £150 Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A COUPLE have been jailed after a Japanese fighting dog bought for £150 online left a toddler scarred for life. Kayleigh Godbert, 39, and Thomas Moir, 38, housed the dangerous Akita dog - historically used for hunting bears - before it savaged the child's face. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Kayleigh Godbert, 39 Credit: WNS 3 Thomas Moir, 38, was asleep during the attack Credit: WNS 3 Akita were bred to fight bears Credit: Getty - Contributor The toddler was left with "truly breathtaking" facial injuries from the attack by the powerful dog, a court heard. Judge Simon Mills said the child was "lucky" to be alive and described one of the kid's lacerations as "absolutely awful". Prosecutor Emmalyne Downing said Godbert had bought the Akita dog from a Pets4Homes website for £150 before bringing it into their home. The couple had already been warned over their mut's behaviour, after it attacked someone nearer their home. The couple failed to protect the child in this instance. Miss Downing said a woman had warned Moir: "That dog could have ripped them to bits". She urged Moir to "get rid of the dog because it could not be trusted". But the couple ignored the warnings - and the dog struck months later to savage the toddler. A paramedic found the child - who cannot be named - had a deep cut to the head and a facial injury. Thankfully, the tot was taken to hospital - but they will be scarred for life. An expert who has seen the child said the appearance of the scars "is getting worse with time," according to the judge. The dog called Nuqe bit the poor youngster at least six times. Moir had been drinking for 18 hours and was asleep at the time of the attack in Flintshire, North Wales. Duncan Bould, for Godbert, said she had tried to have the dog rehomed after that first incident and that she believed it should have been put down. Alexandra Carrier, defending Moir, said her client had taken steps to rehome the dog but there had been a "failure to see them through." "It was not a failure to act altogether," she added. The dog had been "utterly beyond" the defendants' ability to control it, he added. The judge described the injuries as "truly breathtaking" and said that the dog should have been euthanised before that attack. He said the first attack had been a "clear warning that the dog posed a risk". Speaking to the pair, he said: "I accept you had taken some steps to rehome it or muzzle it. "But the dog can't have been muzzled because it caused the injuries it did. "It bit six times. "The injuries suffered in what appears to have been an unrestrained dog attack were frightening. "Although the doctors have done a good job in repairing those injuries, the child still, to this day, carries the scars." The dangerous dog has in fact been put down since then, but that factor "pales into insignificance in comparison to what it did." He said: "This incident could and should have been foreseen." Godbert and Moir were both jailed for 18 months after they admitted owning or being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control which caused injury. Jailing the pair at Mold Crown Court, he also disqualified them from keeping or owning a dog for seven years. Detective Constable James Grimwood said: 'This was a horrific incident and has sadly resulted in serious and lasting injuries to a vulnerable child. "Both Moir and Godbert have shown little remorse throughout this investigation despite the lifelong consequences their actions have had on a young child. 'The court outcome reflects the seriousness of this incident, and I hope that this sends a message to any dog owners to ensure that they do not leave dogs alone with children." ends
