Owner of Solihull puppy farm where dog died is jailed for animal cruelty

The owner of a Solihull puppy farm has been jailed for six months and banned from owning a dog for life after being found guilty of animal cruelty.

Sean Kerr, 52, who ran Pastures Farm on Coventry Road in Bickenhill, was convicted of nine charges under the Animal Welfare Act following a trial at Birmingham Magistrates Court.

The RSPCA seized 37 puppies following a raid at the premises in December 2015.

They also discovered one dog who had died.

The operation had followed a complaint from members of the public about the sale of puppies that died soon after being sold.

In a judgement District Judge Shamim Qureshi said Kerr had failed to get proper treatment for dogs that were underweight, suffering from skin conditions and in poor bodily condition.

He added: “Poor heating, limited bedding that was of poor quality anyway, few food bowls, toileting was done in the same area.”

The judge also said in relation to the sale of a puppy suffering from parovirus which had to be put down that Kerr “was motivated by a devious desire to keep the virus quiet and avoid problems.”

Read more: http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/owner-solihull-puppy-farm-dog-12613723