Owner of Golden Retriever Experience in Minehead sentenced
It comes after some of the animals died in his care
The owner of the Golden Retriever Experience in Minehead has been sentenced - after some of the animals died in his care.
A court heard how Nicolas Eugene Grant St James, of Carhampton, allowed the dogs to live in overcrowded conditions, without a fresh supply of water.
The RSPCA this led to fights and even some fatalities.
The 62-year-old has been sentenced to 18 weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months - and has been banned from keeping dogs for ten years following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.
He must also carry out 200 hours community service, ten Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) days and pay £5,000 costs and a £150 victim surcharge.
He had pleaded guilty to failing to provide accommodation of a sufficient size for the number of dogs, failing to keep the accommodation clean, failing to provide a comfortable place for the dogs to rest, and failing to provide continuously available fresh, clean drinking water for the animals.
The RSPCA received complaints by visitors
The animal welfare charity first became aware of concerns after it received complaints regarding the care provided to dogs being kept as part of the commercial operation. This included reports of dogs being injured and dying because of fights breaking out between the dogs in overcrowded conditions.
Following initial visits by the RSPCA, and a failure to meet requested improvements, as well as ongoing concerns for the safety of the dogs, a warrant was obtained by police resulting in the removal of all the dogs from the property.
The vet, who examined the dogs, said in their report: “None of the dogs' needs under Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act were met. The environment was inadequate in size and comfort; there was a lack of constant access to clean drinking water; dogs were not protected from pain, injury, suffering, and disease; and they were unable to exhibit normal behavior or be separated when needed.”
During the investigation, the body of a deceased dog was also exhumed, which showed he had suffered from injuries caused by fighting before his death. Another dog had also died from his injuries after dog fights. Others were left with serious injuries, including a dog who had his genitals severed during a fight.
RSPCA Inspector Jo Daniel, who investigated for the animal welfare charity, had repeatedly advised St James that he needed to ensure the safety of the dogs and needed to avoid fighting. She also reminded him that dogs must have constant access to water and a comfortable resting area.
During a visit to an industrial unit in the town, where visitors spent time with the dogs instead of the land in Carhampton in poor weather conditions, Inspector Daniel also noted that some of the dogs had callouses on their elbows, the skin here was hairless, thickened and discoloured and was concerned that the callouses could be symptomatic of the lack of bedding and overweight body condition of some of the dogs. Further advice was given to Mr St James about ensuring the welfare of his dogs.
'Woefully inadequate' conditions
A behaviourist, whose report was included as evidence to the court, also described the welfare concerns.
She said: “The dogs were kept in crowded conditions within a dirty home when not at the 'experience'. Bedding was not provided and drinking water was restricted to prevent indoor urination. The group included unspayed females and unneutered males living in close contact
“The dogs in this case were not provided with adequate resting or sleeping places, ideally all dogs should be provided with options for resting places that provide appropriate comfort. In such a large group of dogs a number and variety of types of bed is preferable. Bedding can be considered a valuable resource by dogs.
“Dogs with higher levels of impulsivity and fear are more likely to display resource guarding aggression. Resource guarding aggression represents behaviours such as growling, freezing, snapping and biting. This behaviour can be shown by some domestic dogs that are possessive of valued resources, for example, food, toys or sleeping sites.
“DEFRA’s code of practice for the welfare of dogs states fresh clean drinking water should be available at all times. The restriction may increase the value of water to this group of dogs which may cause conflict over the resource when it is available to them.”
During sentencing he was told by District Judge Brereton that he had repeatedly ignored advice and warnings and that the provision for his dogs was ‘woefully inadequate’ and this had led to deaths and serious injuries. She said that he showed ‘no remorse’ and said he focused on his personal ‘financial loss’ rather than the impact on the dogs welfare.
'These dogs were failed'
RSPCA Inspector Jo Daniel said after the hearing: “These dogs were failed when it came to receiving the care they needed.
"Water, comfort and a safe living environment are basic needs that every owner has a duty to fulfill to ensure the needs of their animals are being met.”