ANDREW THOMAS: AMMANFORD PUPPY FARMER AND SERIAL ANIMAL ABUSER SENT TO JAIL

Andrew Thomas, a notorious puppy farmer and persistent animal abuser from Gwndwngwyn Farm, Heol Bryncethin, Garnant, near Ammanford, was recently brought to justice after a series of shocking discoveries revealed the extent of his neglect and cruelty towards animals. The case drew significant attention from the RSPCA and local authorities, highlighting the severe conditions in which numerous animals were kept under his care.

Inspectors from the RSPCA visited Thomas's farm and uncovered a disturbing scene. They found a variety of dog breeds, including bichon frises, schnauzers, cocker spaniels, Jack Russells, and pugs, all living amidst a filth-ridden environment. The animals were surrounded by their own urine and feces, with no visible access to food, water, or bedding. The conditions were so deplorable that the dogs appeared to be suffering immensely, covered in dirt and waste, with some exhibiting untreated health issues.

Among the animals rescued, six dogs were identified with ear infections, two with dental problems, and six were underweight, indicating prolonged neglect. The inspectors also observed hazards on the farm grounds, such as broken glass and china shards scattered across the land. Disturbingly, unburied carcasses, including that of a Highland bull, were found strewn across the property, further emphasizing the neglect and poor management of the farm.

In addition to the distressing state of the animals, the farm's infrastructure was found to be in a hazardous condition. Pigs and sheep were confined within a poorly lit and ventilated barn, with no access to water or food, and appeared lethargic and unwell. The environment was overcrowded and unsuitable for the animals' well-being, raising serious concerns about the level of care and oversight.

On February 3, 2016, a visit by a Carmarthenshire Council animal health officer further exposed the farm's deficiencies. The officer, tasked with assessing licensing conditions for dog breeding, concluded that the premises was far from meeting the standards required for licensing. Judge David Parsons described Thomas's attitude towards animal welfare as 'cavalier,' condemning his blatant disregard for the animals' suffering.

As a result of these findings, the court ordered that 48 dogs seized from Thomas's farm would be subject to a deprivation order, preventing them from being returned to him. The rescue operation was a significant success, but it also marked the culmination of years of neglect and abuse.

Following the court proceedings, RSPCA inspector Gemma Cooper recounted her harrowing experience upon arriving at the farm. She stated, “Within five minutes of my arrival I was covered head to toe in feces and urine. I was drenched to the bone. It was unimaginable. The dogs were stinking because they were living in this horrific environment. There were puppies being born in feces. There were dogs with untreated ear and teeth problems that needed immediate veterinary attention, and six underweight dogs who were all noticeably skinny. There were also sheep and pigs shoved into a barn with no ventilation, no water, and no food, just crammed in.”

Thomas was subsequently sentenced to seven months in prison, fined £865 in total costs and fines, and banned from keeping animals for five years, a ban that expired in 2021. His history of animal cruelty extended beyond this case; in December 2014, he was prohibited from keeping horses for five years after a series of neglect cases involving underweight and dead ponies and a dead ram were uncovered on his property. The authorities had received a tip-off about a dead horse on the farm, prompting inspectors to investigate.

During that earlier investigation, inspectors found the horses in a dire state, suffering from scabs, lice, and poor dental health. Two horses had to be euthanized due to the extent of their neglect. One of the horses, which should have weighed around 475kg, was found to weigh just 110kg at the time of death. The farm also contained a collapsed barn described as 'hazardous,' further illustrating the neglect.

Thomas was ordered to pay court costs of £5,368 and a victim surcharge of £80. He was also sentenced to four months of suspended imprisonment for each of the offenses, including previous convictions, and was required to complete 100 hours of unpaid community service. His repeated failures to care for animals underscore a pattern of disregard for animal welfare, leading to multiple convictions and ongoing legal consequences.