Duo deny animal cruelty charges in connection with Solihull ‘puppy farm’

Two people have appeared in court charged with multiple animal cruelty offences in connection with an alleged puppy farm in Solihull.

Birmingham Magistrates Court heard RSPCA inspectors found more than 30 animals were found being improperly cared for at Pastures Farm on Coventry Road last year.

Sean Kerr and Louise St John Poulton denied seven counts of causing unnecessary suffering to dogs and five charges relating to improper animal welfare at the hearing on Friday (14th October).

District judge Joanna Dickens heard that police had executed a warrant at the pair’s address on 22nd December last year, accompanied by RSPCA inspectors.

Iain O’Donnell, setting out the RSPCA’s case, said that on the site were 37 dogs which it was alleged were being improperly cared for by Kerr, 51, and 42-year-old St John Poulton.

The lawyer said that more than 200 photos and a 14-minute video setting out the alleged sub-standard conditions on the premises would be presented at next year’s trial, to be heard at the magistrates court.

Mr O’Donnell added: “They sold dogs from the premises having advertised them for sale on the internet.

“As a result of various complaints the RSPCA executed a search warrant on December 22 last year at Pastures Farm.

“Thirty-seven dogs were found that day, almost all of which were puppies and assessments were made as to the condition and environment they were found in.”

Inspectors are alleged to have found some of the dogs kept in areas with faeces, while the RSPCA claimed others were in poor condition and required veterinary care.

Among the dogs allegedly mistreated were a female Cavachon, a male Pug and a female Shih Tzu – which the RSPCA told the court had been suffering from a variety of ailments ranging from a dislocated hip and weight loss to hypothermia.

Mr O’Donnell said: “We say they were operating a puppy farm on a commercial basis, breeding animals for sale.”

After the hearing, Kerr and St John Poulton told reporters they were innocent of the charges.

A trial is due to be heard on 30th January next year, and is estimated to last up to three weeks.

Read more: http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/duo-deny-animal-cruelty-charges-12029200