RSPCA probe reveals family made €350k in huge scam

SIX family members were jailed over a €350,000 illegal puppy-selling scam run by Irish Travellers.

The Mcdonagh family turned to selling puppies to make money when their other work interests dried up during the pandemic.

A court heard they advertised the dogs as “home-bred, healthy and well socialised family pets” – but many had been bred in sheds, bought abroad or even stolen.

Eleven family members advertised at least 40 different breeds of dogs to unsuspecting buyers.

Breeds included Cavalier King Charles spaniels, Pugs, Beagles, miniature Dachshunds, American Pocket Bully, Shihpoos, French Bulldogs, Cavapoos, Chihuahuas, Labradors, Rottweilers, German Shepherds and Whippets.

The RSPCA probe found some of the dogs were sold with a variety of health concerns and had been imported from Ireland, Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic.

The puppies and dogs were advertised on sites such as Freeads, Pets4homes, Preloved and Gumtree. The Newportbased family were arrested in a series of joint raids by the RSPCA and Gwent Police where dogs, mobile phones, and paperwork relating to sales was seized.

Six men, Martin Mcdonagh, 42, Francie Mcdonagh, 35, Patrick Mcdonagh Junior, 22, John Mcdonagh, 33, Patrick Mcdonagh Senior, 47, Edward Mcdonagh, 28, all from Newport, were jailed for between three-and-a-half years and 18 months.

Five women Rosaleen Mcdonagh, 42,

Puppies found in RSPCA probe

Angela Mcdonagh, 34, Mary Mcdonagh, 31, Mary Mcdonagh Senior, 43, Mary Mcdonagh Junior, 25, were all handed community orders and banned from keeping animals for 10 years.

All appeared at Swansea Crown Court where Judge Geraint Walters said there was “carefully coordinated action” where the use of multiple properties, different vehicles and different vet practices had been used, along with false adverts, false documentation and various mobile

Dogs discovered at puppy farm

numbers. Speaking after the case RSPCA Inspector Kirsty Withnall, said: “The heartbreaking reality of puppy farming is that the welfare of the puppies comes second to making money.

“The sums of money involved are just eye-watering; and it’s another reminder of how unscrupulous this trade can be; and how dangerous poor breeding and trading practices are for dogs, pups and unsuspecting consumers.

“For anyone looking to buy a puppy, rather than adopt, we urge them to do their research, know the signs of an unscrupulous breeder and use tools such as the Puppy Contract to avoid becoming another victim of the puppy trade.”

Gwent police officer Bianca Robsonmallet, who was the officer in charge of the warrant, said: “We had been receiving intel for a few months prior to the warrant and had been preparing for it when the RSPCA contacted us for assistance.

“This was my first animal welfare warrant, and I had a massive interest in seeing it through because of my love towards animals.”