Puppy Farmer is Banned From Dog Ownership

A dog breeder from Kent has been given a suspended jail sentence and banned from keeping animals for life, following a prosecution by the RSPCA.

RSPCA inspectors who visited Melanie King’s business at Whents Farm, on Lower Road, Teynham, on 26 February last year were confronted by more than 70 dogs, some with untreated medical condition and living in squalid kennels.

The 56-year-old (DOB 10.8.54), now of Station Road, Appledore, near Ashford, Kent, appeared at Sittingbourne Magistrates Court yesterday (8.9.10) when she was convicted of six charges, and sentenced to 140 days in custody, suspended for 12 months.

She was also ordered to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work and must pay £250 in cost
King was convicted of charges including causing unnecessary suffering to a female border terrier that was suffering with serious dental problems caused by an abscess in her mouth. The condition was so serious that some of the dog’s teeth had to be subsequently removed by a vet.

King was also convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to a red Chow Chow female dog who was effectively blinded in both eyes by a condition called entropion. The dog was later put to sleep by a vet. She was acquitted of three counts of failing to provide dogs with adequate nutrition.

RSPCA inspectors found more than 70 dogs of various breeds at Whents Farm when they joined the officers from Swale Borough Council, police and vets during a warrant at the property. Many of the dogs at the premises were forced to live on soiled and damp bedding.

RSPCA inspector Ray Bailey said: “Melanie King was totally irresponsible. She had been given previous warnings, but failed to take action to safeguard the animals’ welfare. The conditions many of the dogs were kept in were squalid and truly appalling.

“We are delighted that the court has recognised the seriousness of the offences and banned her from keeping all animals for the rest of her life. We couldn’t have asked for anymore.

“Anyone who is thinking of buying a puppy should always ask plenty of questions and visit the breeder to see the puppies with their mother in the place where they were born. Buying puppies from irresponsible breeders is simply fuelling the market.”

King was previously sentenced to a lifetime ban on breeding dogs after she admitted 24 offences under Section 1 of the Breeding of Dogs Act 1973, following a case taken by Swale Borough Council.

She had been operating on temporary breeding licence after concerns had been raised about conditions at her establishment. However, she had failed to deal with the hygiene issues reported by the council officers when the warrant was executed in February, 2009.
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GREAT NEWS, one down hundreds to go, but if the rspca can close this one WHY not others
Quote She had been given previous warnings, but failed to take action to safeguard the animals’ welfare.Why was she given several warnings, the rspca are known for raiding genuine rescue centres without warning and confiscating the dogs immediately