Puppy farmers who sold dogs across Glasgow jailed

Two puppy farmers responsible for "unimaginable misery" after selling ill dogs were jailed today for a total of 18 months. Tom Mongan, 28, and brother William Mongan, 40, sold dogs online from rented Airbnb properties across Glasgow.

The dogs were found in poor shape and were discovered living in unsanitary conditions by SSPCA inspectors.

Some of the 11 pets the pair were responsible for were later put down due to ill health.

Tom Mongan pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to three charges of causing unnecessary suffering while William Mongan admitted two charges.

The charges span between December 2020 and February 2021.

The brothers - who are of the Irish traveller community - were sentenced to nine month each today by Sheriff Mark McGuire.

He said: "Each of you pled guilty to what can be described as animal cruelty on 11 separate dogs.

"What I heard is what the public would know as puppy farming.

"It must have been obvious the dogs were unwell and the conditions they were kept in was poor - you took no steps to get help for these animals.

"The motivation was for financial gain - each dog was priced at over £1,000.

"It was clearly greed and it brought unimaginable misery to those who unfortunately bought them.

"I am satisfied there is no other appropriate sentence than custody."

The court heard that Tom has an identical previous conviction in Northern Ireland from October 2020 and was disqualified from owning animals for 10 years.

Tom went on to rent out a number of Airbnb properties in Glasgow for the purposes of selling more dogs.

Tom advertised a springer spaniel puppy on website PetsForHomes which was answered by Thomas Young.

Mr Young met Tom at an address and was shown a vaccination card for the puppy who was lying on a couch.

Mr Young paid Tom £1,600 in separate transactions to purchase the puppy later named Bella.

Tom contacted Mr Young the following day to ask when he would pick up the dog.

Prosecutor Gail Campbell said: "Mr Young told him that they picked up the puppy and was then blocked by Tom Mongan on the website."

Mr Young also noticed that the puppy had diarrhoea and was lethargic with parvovirus suspected by a vet.

The decision was made to euthanize Bella days later due to her ill health.

Miss Campbell added: "The vet thought that the dog was caused unnecessary suffering.

"Mr Young contacted Tom Mongan on Facebook to tell him the puppy had died but he blocked him."

Megan Peacock purchased a Pomeranian puppy from Tom in similar circumstances which they named Abbie.

The dog vomited and also had diarrhoea which included live worms.

Abbie was taken to the vet where she was noted to have done the toilet on herself and couldn't stand on her own.

Abbie was also euthanized with a post mortem finding that she suffered from parvovirus.

Christopher Myers and Sophie Gerrard purchased a Beagle later named Freya from Tom.

She was later noted to have no appetite, vomited and had diarrhoea. Freya also passed away from her condition.

Miss Gerrard contacted Tom but received no reply.

SSPCA inspectors and police raised of the addresses on January 28 2021 and found Tom, William Mongan and eight puppies within.

A spaniel puppy was noted to be "distressed", as well as lethargic and could not lift its head.

Another spaniel puppy and a Pomeranian were also found to be in a "visibly poor condition."

A puddle of clear yellow fluid, believed to be diarrhoea was found on the floor of one of the bedrooms.

The puppies were seized and only four of them were linked to microchips.

A vet stated that all the puppies were in poor condition and should have received veterinary care. One of the dogs were put down.

Over a week later, William Mongan was visited by the SSPCA who received information beagle puppies were being sold.

Four puppies were found inside including a beagle puppy who was in a poor condition.

A border collie described as being "extremely unwell" was noted to be lying in its own urine and faeces.

William threatened legal action on one of the SSPCA inspectors who seized the puppies

Miss Campbell added: "The inspector has not been contacted by a lawyer."

Atlanta Jack, defending Tom, told the sentencing her client was involved for financial gain.

The lawyer added: "He expresses his regret for the people who purchased the puppies and he is apologetic for the upset and inconvenience caused."

Patrick Brechany, defending William, stated his client is a gardener by trade who is "remorseful and "regretful."

Mr Brechany denied that William was a "puppy farmer" but sold dogs who were puppy farmed.

Sheriff McGuire banned the two men, of Belfast, from keeping animals for 10 years.

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