KEN PURCHASE, ALLSCOTT PUPPY FARMER, FACES COURT AFTER SELLING UNHEALTHY DOGS IN TELFORD

Kenneth Stephen Purchase, born on March 18, 1953, and residing at Allscott Mill in Allscott, Telford, TF6 5EE, has been convicted of engaging in deceptive practices related to the sale of puppies. His actions have caused significant distress among pet buyers and have raised serious concerns about the welfare of the animals involved.

Purchase, who also owns the Allscott Mill Bed and Breakfast in Telford and has previously appeared on Channel 4’s Four in a Bed, turned to dog breeding as a means to escape his financial difficulties. Over a period from March 5 to September 12, 2018, he advertised and sold at least 321 puppies through the Pets4Homes website, luring customers with the promise of healthy, well-bred dogs. Many of these buyers believed Purchase was a reputable breeder, as he held a legitimate dog breeder’s license, which contributed to their trust in his transactions.

However, the reality was far from the expectations set by his advertisements. Numerous owners discovered that their new pets were plagued with severe health issues, including Canine Parvovirus, a highly contagious and often deadly disease that affects a dog’s gastrointestinal system. The disease’s mortality rate can reach up to 91 percent if left untreated. Several of the dogs purchased from Purchase later succumbed to their illnesses, leaving their owners devastated.

One owner recounted her distress, describing how she was haunted by the sounds of dogs howling in the squalid conditions she visited. She admitted that the thought of leaving a dog behind in such conditions gave her nightmares. During the court proceedings, Recorder Mr. Anthony Hawks harshly criticized Purchase’s record-keeping practices, describing them as “a disgrace,” especially regarding vaccination records and overall animal management.

At the Shrewsbury Crown Court, it was revealed that Purchase had been granted a license to breed and sell a maximum of 12 female dogs, each capable of producing one litter annually. Despite this, he applied for a separate “pet shop license” that would have allowed him to purchase dogs from other sources and resell them. The court heard that Purchase’s application for this license was never approved, raising questions about the legality of some of his sales.

Victims who appeared in court provided harrowing accounts of their experiences. One woman described her visit to Purchase’s premises, which she described as “a barn full of dogs,” where she chose a West Highland Terrier puppy “to rescue it.” Unfortunately, the puppy suffered from health problems, and she was haunted by the image of another dog in the pen that “appeared lifeless.” She admitted that she still has nightmares about the dog she left behind.

Another customer, who also purchased a Westie puppy, took the dog to the vet shortly after purchase and was devastated to learn it had contracted Canine Parvovirus. The dog was hospitalized for nine days, costing £545, and Purchase claimed the virus was contracted at the vet’s clinic, not from his premises. A third victim, who named her Bichon Frise puppy Bonnie after a recently deceased friend, also faced severe health issues. Bonnie had to be euthanized, and the owner revealed that the vet bills were so high that she was unable to pay her rent, forcing her to move house. She described the entire ordeal as “extremely stressful.”

Purchase pleaded guilty to a single charge of engaging in a misleading commercial practice, violating the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 and the European Communities Act 1972. His defense lawyer appealed to the court, requesting leniency due to Purchase’s own health problems, which could complicate imprisonment.

However, Recorder Hawks was unequivocal in his judgment. He stated, “I thought about sending you to prison. You deserve to go to prison.” Ultimately, considering Purchase’s health issues and the limited sentencing powers of the court, the judge decided to impose a fine of £25,000 and ordered him to pay an additional £25,000 in court costs. Furthermore, a Confiscation Order of £50,000 was issued under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

In addition, Purchase was ordered to pay £1,286 in compensation to the victims. The judge emphasized that Purchase had deliberately deceived people for financial gain and that he must now face the consequences of his actions. Failure to pay the ordered compensation would result in a prison sentence of 15 months.

It was also revealed that Purchase has a background as a boxing promoter operating under the name Boxfrog Promotions. In October 2016, Birmingham Live reported that many fight fans had been left out of pocket after a series of ‘meet and greet’ events failed to take place, with Purchase refusing refunds. At that time, Purchase claimed he was facing financial difficulties and was heading toward bankruptcy, further highlighting his troubled financial situation and questionable business practices.