HENRY CHRYSTAL OF GARTHAMLOCK SCOTLAND CONVICTED FOR CRUELTY TO PUPPIES WITH CROPPED EARS

Henry Chrystal, a resident of Tillycairn Drive in Garthamlock, Glasgow G33, has been found guilty in connection with the mistreatment of puppies, specifically for neglecting to provide necessary veterinary care for injuries sustained from illegal ear cropping procedures. Born around 1989, Chrystal’s involvement in this case has brought to light disturbing practices linked to dog breeding and mutilation for profit.

In January 2023, Chrystal pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to two puppies named Donut and Dumpling. The puppies had suffered injuries to their ears, which were inflicted through a prohibited cosmetic procedure—ear cropping—that is illegal in many regions due to the pain and suffering it causes. The court heard that Chrystal failed to seek veterinary treatment for their injuries, which had become infected and painful.

The Scottish SPCA Special Investigation Unit (SIU) played a crucial role in uncovering the case. An inspector involved in the investigation explained that they were alerted by a concerned member of the public who noticed the puppies’ injuries. Upon inspection, both dogs exhibited fresh-looking wounds on their ears, which were red, crusted, and appeared to be in the healing process. The inspector described the wounds as causing discomfort to the puppies when touched, indicating ongoing pain.

According to the inspector, the illegal ear cropping procedure would have involved significant pain, bleeding, and trauma, with the puppies enduring considerable suffering for cosmetic reasons. The inspector emphasized that the procedure likely took several minutes and caused the puppies to remain in chronic pain until they received proper veterinary care at the SPCA center.

Chrystal claimed that he had owned the puppies for only two weeks and that their ears had already been cropped when he received them. He stated that the puppies were given to him under 'breeder’s terms,' meaning he was to keep them as pets until the original breeder needed them for breeding purposes. When questioned about why he did not seek veterinary treatment, Chrystal asserted that he did not take the puppies to the vet because they were ‘not his dogs to take to the vet.’

Following the investigation, both puppies have been rehomed to new families, away from the abusive environment. As part of his sentencing, Chrystal received a 40-day restriction of liberty order and a two-year ban on keeping any animals, which will expire in January 2025.

Further complicating the case, it has emerged that Henry Chrystal’s brother, Andrew William Stuart Chrystal, born on April 3, 1998, and residing at Townend Farm, Kilsyth, Glasgow G65 0QE, is the sole director of Dog Food Bull Brand Ltd, established in September 2022. Andrew and his partner, Melissa Brodie, a nursery nurse at Happy Days Nursery in Kirkintilloch, are also involved in dog breeding and selling under the trading name Variety Bulls or VBulls, which is known for routinely cropping dogs’ ears.

Investigations reveal that Andrew Chrystal is associated with individuals involved in criminal activities, including Thomas Rayment, a county lines drug gang leader, and Ryan Howard. Both Rayment and Howard were featured in a 2023 BBC Panorama investigation into extreme dog breeders, which is accessible via BBC iPlayer or YouTube. They operate Muscletone Bullys, a canine fertility clinic based in Wigan, Greater Manchester.

It appears that the puppies involved in Henry Chrystal’s case were bred and mutilated by Variety Bulls, raising questions about whether the authorities should now focus on Andrew Chrystal, who may also be implicated in these illegal practices. The case underscores ongoing concerns about illegal dog breeding, animal cruelty, and the exploitation of animals for profit in the Glasgow area and beyond.