ROB PHIPPS FROM MARCH SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO RESCUED DOGS IN SQUALID CONDITIONS

Rob Phipps, a resident of Station Road in March, was found guilty of severe neglect and cruelty towards a group of 34 rescue dogs kept in deplorable conditions inside a warehouse located on Commercial Road, March. The case, which drew significant attention from animal welfare authorities, revealed the extent of the suffering inflicted upon these animals under Phipps's care.

In late 2013, the RSPCA received credible information indicating that Phipps, who operated under the name JJ Rescue, was housing dogs in cramped, unsanitary conditions at his warehouse. An investigation was promptly launched, leading inspectors to discover two small rooms, each containing 17 dogs confined within metal cages. One of these rooms was an enclosed space lacking fresh air and natural light, raising immediate concerns about the animals' welfare.

RSPCA Chief Inspector Mark Thompson described the scene, emphasizing the gravity of the situation: “There were serious concerns for their welfare, but despite several visits and a lot of welfare advice, the conditions of these dogs did not improve, and the advice was not followed.” The situation escalated in February 2014 when authorities, accompanied by police and a veterinarian, conducted a raid. During this operation, the dogs were seized and placed into RSPCA care.

Court proceedings revealed disturbing details about the conditions in which the dogs were kept. It was reported that the animals were housed in crates overnight without access to water. Some cages contained two dogs, and evidence showed that the animals had suffered injuries from fighting, with bloodstains found in their cages. One dog sustained facial injuries due to the close proximity of cages, leading to a fight that resulted in the animal losing an eye after infection could not be controlled by veterinary treatment.

Further inspection uncovered unsanitary conditions, including excrement in some cages and injuries caused by fighting. Despite Phipps’s claims of caring for the dogs, he expressed reluctance to have them euthanized, stating he was willing for them to be re-homed but was uncertain whether the RSPCA would guarantee their safety from being put to sleep. He justified the housing arrangements by claiming that dogs preferred crates over kennels, which he described as “not happy” and “spinning.” Phipps explained that the dogs were typically kept in crates from 10 pm to 8 am, during which they were provided water and fed in the morning. He also stated that the dogs were walked two to three times daily and that the crates were cleaned daily.

He estimated spending thousands of pounds on veterinary bills to ensure the animals received proper care, asserting that they were well-fed, exercised, and adequately hydrated. Phipps also explained that when two dogs shared a cage, it was because they were siblings with a strong bond, making separation impossible.

However, the court found him guilty of multiple charges, including failing to provide a suitable environment for the dogs, failing to supply adequate drinking water, and causing unnecessary suffering by housing dogs in cages that led to injuries through fighting. Deputy District Judge Boswell commented on the case, acknowledging Phipps’s good intentions but criticizing his failure to manage the animals properly: “This man had the very best of intentions but simply took on more than he could handle. However, this is a serious case. As an experienced dog handler, he should have known that keeping dogs in those conditions was wholly unacceptable. Out of your sheer desire to take in dogs to re-home them, you kept your eyes closed to the conditions they were being kept in.”

As a result, Phipps was sentenced to a 12-month community order, required to complete 180 hours of unpaid work, and ordered to pay £1,000 in costs along with a £60 surcharge. Additionally, he was disqualified from keeping dogs for three years, a ban later reduced to 18 months following an appeal. Despite the legal consequences, reports from August 2020 indicate that Rob Phipps continues to operate a pet shop on Station Road in March, residing in a flat above the shop after being compelled to sell his previous home. The case remains a stark reminder of the importance of animal welfare and the responsibilities of those involved in rescue and pet care.