Horrifying squalor of caravan where farmer kept almost 40 dogs including 22 PUPPIES in appalling condition

UNITED KINGDOM -- These disturbing pictures show the horrendous conditions in which a farmer kept almost forty dogs - including 22 puppies.

Paul Alton kept the animals in a static caravan at Trice Barn Farm in Bacup, Lancashire.

Burnley Magistrates Court heard the 51-year-old neglected to ‘provide the proper care’ to the dogs, which he was breeding with the intention to sell.

 

 

Breeds including terriers, collies and alsatians were found in conditions described by the RSPCA as 'squalid'.

One dog was found to have a bleeding malformed hind left leg after it was injured in a tractor accident a few years ago.

Another was seen climbing on top of a dead cow next to the stables.

The father-of-two was banned from keeping dogs for 10 years

He was also banned from transporting dogs, attempting to sell dogs or being party to any transaction or transportation.

When RSPCA officers visited the farm on April 23 last year they were shown around the outlying buildings which were found to be ‘completely unsuitable’ for the dogs.

RSPCA officials were called to the farm after Alton was arrested last April for a string of firearms offences, including having a home-made pistol.

Michael Lea, defending, said Alton claimed the conditions were not like that when he had left the farm four days previously after he was arrested on firearms charges.

Police were called after he assaulted his wife of 15 years and she told police about firearms at the premises.

He was jailed for 30 months last December after admitting possessing a prohibited weapon, a.22 pistol, pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife Kim Alton, possessing a 12 gauge shotgun without a certificate and possessing ammunition  without a firearms certificate.

Sentencing, magistrate Irene Devine said: “Aside from the harm that you will have caused your dogs you must think of the health risks that you will have subjected your children to. This disqualification will stop you dealing with dogs for a long time.”

Speaking after the case, Inspector Small said: “They were conditions that no animal should have to be placed in and they were absolutely appalling. I’m really pleased about the disqualification and it’s good that he will not be able to appeal for five years.

“The conditions that the dogs were subjected to were terrible and I hope that this decision will deter him and others from ever doing anything like this again.”
(Daily Mail - Feb 27, 2014)