DOG BREEDING CRUELTY: BURY MEN SENTENCED FOR ANIMAL ABUSE
A pedigree dog breeder named Jeffrey Speakman, aged 66, has been sentenced to four months in jail suspended for 12 months after admitting cruelty charges related to the poor treatment of almost 140 dogs, including Labradors and collies, found in deplorable conditions with untreated health issues.Along with his son Richard, aged 22, they were both found to have placed numerous dogs in unsuitable environments, with some suffering from medical conditions like eye and ear problems, lameness, and parasitic infections.
They had been exploiting the dogs as 'breeding machines,' selling hundreds of puppies annually for profit, prioritizing profit over animal welfare.
The court heard that the dogs had been used as nothing more than 'breeding machines,' with the men admitting multiple counts of cruelty—13 for Jeffrey and 11 for Richard.
During the animal seizure, a dog named a chocolate Labrador was found dead from untreated womb infection and septicaemia, and a puppy had died within days of rescue.
An Alaskan malamute was also found to have an untreated neurological disease.
The men had failed to provide adequate water, shelter with sharp edges, and medical care for the animals.
The RSPCA inspector described the situation as 'profit before welfare.' Magistrates ordered both to pay £500 in costs, and the seized dogs have been rehomed or are awaiting rehoming.
