WALLY BEANEY AND MARIA SMITH FROM NORTH-WEST KENT PUPPY FARMING RING SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY AND FRAUD

In a significant crackdown on illegal puppy farming operations in North-West Kent, authorities have successfully dismantled a notorious gang responsible for the inhumane treatment and sale of dogs under deplorable conditions. The group, comprising Wally David Beaney, his wife Maria Smith, her mother Louise Smith, along with Charlotte Byron and Debbie Lampard, operated a fraudulent puppy breeding enterprise that netted an estimated £500,000. Their activities, which involved keeping dozens of dogs in squalid environments and selling gravely ill puppies to unsuspecting buyers, were uncovered during a coordinated raid carried out on September 22, 2021, by rural crime police officers in conjunction with the RSPCA.

During the operation, authorities seized a total of 36 dogs and three cats from multiple properties, along with £10,000 in cash under the Proceeds of Crime Act. The police also made eight arrests, executing warrants at four different locations, and confiscated 12 vehicles, including returning a farm vehicle to its rightful owner. The investigation revealed that the gang’s primary motive was financial gain through repeated breeding, all while neglecting the animals’ basic medical needs and welfare.

Further evidence emerged from the raid, which uncovered puppies suffering from parvovirus—a highly contagious and often fatal disease—many of whom died shortly after being sold. Over 30 puppies were recovered from three properties in Kent during October 2021, with a veterinarian describing their living conditions as “dark and smelly.” Several puppies required urgent veterinary care, and many adult dogs, including two pregnant females, were found in the gardens of the raided properties, suffering from parasites and dental issues. Authorities also seized phones containing inquiries from potential buyers, highlighting the scale of the operation.

Inspector Vikki Dawe of the RSPCA expressed her outrage, stating, “These dogs were all being kept in horrible conditions with very poor care which did not remotely reflect the expectations of buyers who saw the adverts placed for them.” The court heard that in one tragic case, three Golden Retriever puppies purchased from Byron’s address in July 2021 died within four days of being bought, underscoring the cruelty inflicted by the gang.

Wally Beaney, identified as a traveller involved in the operation, received the longest prison sentence among the group—four and a half years in immediate custody—and was banned from keeping dogs for ten years. His wife, Maria Smith, was sentenced to two years and four months in prison and disqualified from owning dogs for five years. Louise Smith, Maria’s mother, received a similar sentence of two years and four months, along with a five-year ban on keeping animals. Charlotte Byron was sentenced to two years and three months in custody, with no ban imposed. Debbie Lampard, who was found guilty of selling puppies without a license, received an 18-month conditional discharge.

All five defendants pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including violations of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and conspiracy to commit fraud. The court’s decision was based on the evidence of repeated neglect, cruelty, and the financial benefits gained from their illegal activities. Sergeant Darren Walshaw of Kent Police’s Rural Task Force emphasized the severity of their misconduct, stating, “They demonstrated cruelty and neglectful behaviour that ultimately led to numerous animals losing their lives unnecessarily.”

This case highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement and animal welfare organizations to combat illegal puppy farming in the region, aiming to protect vulnerable animals from exploitation and ensure stricter enforcement of animal welfare laws in North-West Kent and beyond.