USPCA Chief Fermanagh Puppy Farm

Executive Stephen Philpott described the profit driven operation as one of the worst abuses of animal welfare he has come across in his 14 years of frontline investigations.

Dogs were eating a diet of ‘out of date’ meat and stale garlic potatoes from a faeces covered floor. They suffered flea infestations, ear mites and worms. Illegal veterinary medicines were uncovered together with pre-printed spurious pedigree paperwork.

The photographs clearly show the conditions in which the animals were surviving. A loophole in the law in NI means ‘keeping animals in conditions likely to cause suffering’ is not an offence, it is our view actual suffering was taking place and we think the public will share our view.

The PPS reached their decision on grounds of insufficient evidence, they call into question Stephen Philpott’s training in animal welfare and the issue of a breeders licence by Fermanagh District Council.

The PPS should be aware that Stephen Philpott plays a key role in PSNI training on Animal Welfare Law. He sits on a Departmental committee dealing with this issue in Stormont and is highly regarded as the definitive voice on animal welfare in Northern Ireland. A breeder’s licence is approved by the local authority dog warden section and ensures puppies leaving the premises do so already licensed; it takes no account of animal welfare.
To read the Sunday Life story click here

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