SAMUEL RONALD HESSIN SHAMES KEITH WITH ILLEGAL PUPPY FARM ABUSE

A disturbing case of animal cruelty has come to light involving Samuel Ronald Hessin and his son, Samuel Arthur Hessin, who have both pleaded guilty to operating an illegal puppy farm near Keith. The property, known as Balnamoon Farm, became the focus of a joint investigation led by the Scottish SPCA, Moray Council trading standards, and Police Scotland. Their raid uncovered a shocking scene: over 60 dogs suffering from severe neglect, both physically and mentally.

These animals were confined in squalid cages that lacked basic necessities such as proper hydration, adequate heating, and sufficient ventilation. Many of the dogs displayed clear signs of health issues, including infections caused by E-coli, skin conditions, and infected sores that had gone untreated. The conditions were deplorable, with the animals exposed to unsanitary environments that contributed to their suffering.

Further investigation revealed that the Hessins had been using false identities and misleading online advertisements on platforms like Gumtree and Freeads. They falsely claimed that the dogs were family pets or offspring, when in reality, many of these animals had been imported from Northern Ireland. The illegal operation involved the sale and advertisement of more than 100 dogs without the necessary licensing, and at the time of the raid, 56 dogs were being kept for sale.

During court proceedings, Samuel Hessin senior admitted to neglecting the animals’ environmental needs between May and September 2019. His neglect included exposing puppies to unsanitary conditions filled with faeces and diarrhoea, which contributed to their suffering. The dogs and puppies were denied proper birthing conditions and were prevented from exhibiting normal behaviors, leading to a range of health problems such as demodectic mange, bacterial and fungal infections, and injuries that required surgical intervention.

Samuel Hessin Jr. also pleaded guilty, admitting to causing unnecessary suffering to 56 dogs and 12 puppies. He falsely claimed that these animals were being sold as family pets, despite their evident illnesses and suffering. The court has deferred sentencing, but given the gravity of the neglect and the large number of animals involved, it is anticipated that significant penalties will be imposed.

The Scottish SPCA expressed their satisfaction with the pleas and highlighted the seriousness of the case. They emphasized that this incident stands out as one of the more significant recent cases of animal suffering driven by profit motives, underscoring the importance of strict enforcement against such cruelty.