EDINBURGH 'FRANKENSTEIN' DOG BREEDER CONVICTED FOR NEGLECT AND UNREGULATED BREEDING
An Edinburgh dog breeder kept more than 30 puppies in 'dreadful' conditions at an unlicensed fertility clinic.The 'Frankenstein' dog breeder was investigated by the Scottish SPCA who were 'horrified' by the 'stinking and disease ridden facility'.
Paul Robertson and sidekick Alexander Myers were convicted of allowing one pup to suffer for weeks due to neglect at the 'horrific' and unlicensed dog fertility clinic being run from Robertson's home in Edinburgh.
Myers claimed he was the main man behind the enterprise, and admitted to taking blood from dogs without veterinary qualifications.
Both pleaded guilty at Edinburgh Sheriff Court to the neglect of one animal - French bulldog Miss Piggy - who had suffered weeks of torture and had to be euthanised by a vet.
The Daily Record has revealed that Paul Robertson was the man behind an intensive breeding programme that resulted in "Frankenstein" hairless French bulldog pups being sold - which was panned by vets.
Robertson has promoted his Braveheart Bullyz breeding business on Instagram, where he boasts about meddling with the DNA of designer dogs to make mutations.
But despite the level of suffering inflicted, Robertson was, astonishingly, hit with just a £270 fine after his lawyer claimed his role in the crimes was minimal.
Myers received a three year disqualification from keeping animals and a 180 hours of community payback order, plus a £90 fine.
The fines come despite the fact designer pups in recent years have sold for thousands of pounds.
An inspector at the Scottish SPCA's Special Investigations Unit said the kennels were a disgrace.
They said: "There was an overwhelming stench of faeces and urine coming from the kennels and shed areas.
The sheds were dark, poorly ventilated and coated in faeces.
In total, 32 dogs were found at the residence.
Three were living in the house as pets, while the remainder were kept in unsanitary kennels." They added: "Robertson and Myers have failed to ensure the welfare of the many dogs in their care and we are increasingly seeing people operating fertility clinics from their homes.
These clinics are completely unregulated, pose serious risks to animal welfare.
In some cases, animals are seriously injured after having blood drawn by unqualified individuals." The inspector added: "We respect the court's decision but are disappointed the sentencing was not stronger.
Even so, this case is a step in the right direction in highlighting the risks of unregulated fertility clinics and the neglect of animal welfare that so often accompanies them."
