Man banned from with 18 suffering
A LEICESTER man who was disqualified from owning dogs was found with 18 distressed and dehydrated animals inside his van after being stopped by police.
Some of the animals were severely underweight and had untreated wounds, with one later dying.
Sean Palmer, of Langtoft Road, in Hamilton, was driving the white van when he was stopped by officers from the Leicestershire and Rutland Rural Policing Team on the A47 in Leicestershire in February last year during a routine procedure.
Inside the van, officers discovered 10 adult bulldogs and eight puppies, all with a variety of welfare issues, inside cages.
Three were even found wearing shock collars, while a number were underweight and dehydrated.
Untreated wounds were also found on a number of the dogs too, with one dying of malnutrition before it could reach vets.
An investigation was launched by police and the RSPCA, which quickly uncovered a disqualification order in place on Palmer.
In February 2022, he had been handed a three-year order by Lincoln Magistrates’ Court which prevented him from keeping dogs.
Despite the banning order, Palmer admitted to owning all of the dogs, but claimed in mitigation that he was dealing with “personal issues” at the time.
He told investigators he was also
The conditions inside the van were shocking - such a large number in such cramped conditions RSPCA
sleeping in the same van alongside the dogs.
The RSPCA subsequently charged Palmer with four offences relating to animal cruelty, including causing unnecessary suffering and failing to provide veterinary treatment for the dogs’ injuries.
Palmer, 36, appeared before Leicester Crown Court earlier this month, where he was handed a 15-month jail term suspended for two years.
He was also ordered to carry out 25 rehabilitation action days and 100 hours of unpaid work.
The courts also banned Palmer from keeping dogs for another seven years and was ordered to pay £250 court costs.
Speaking after sentencing, RSPCA Inspector Richard Durrant said: “The conditions inside the van were shocking – to have such a large number in such cramped conditions.
“A vet deemed many of the dogs including the pups were suffering.
“We are so very grateful to the Leicestershire and Rutland Rural Policing Team for all their support in what was a very upsetting case.”