Puppy farm breeders ‘burned dead dogs in a van’

the conditions they found at the farm in Aberdeenshire were 'absolutely disgraceful',
The conditions of the farm were described as ‘absolutely disgraceful’ (Picture: SWNS)
Two breeders who are thought to have owned Scotland’s largest puppy farm have been convicted of animal cruelty offences. Frank James, 53, from Banff, and Michelle Wood, 29, of Macduff, were found guilty on Friday of causing unnecessary suffering to dogs, ferrets and rabbits, said the Scottish SPCA. The animal charity said the conditions they found at the farm in Aberdeenshire were ‘absolutely disgraceful’, with the place effectively operating as a battery farm for puppies.
They pair were convicted at Aberdeen Sheriff Court of failing to ensure the welfare of the same animals and will be sentenced at a later date, the charity said following the case. It said its special investigations unit and police raided East Mains of Ardlogie Farm near Fyvie, in November 2017.

They removed 105 animals, including 87 dogs, with the youngest being just a few days old and took them to specialist rehabilitation centres.

The terrible conditions at ?the largest puppy farm in Scotland?, owned by Frank James, 53, and Michelle Wood, 29, - who have been convited of animals cruelty offenses. See SWNS story SWSCdogs. Cruel breeders who owned the ?largest puppy farm in Scotland? and are thought to have burnt the corpses of dead dogs in a van were convicted of animal cruelty offences. Frank James, 53, and Michelle Wood, 29, kept nearly 100 dogs, including Springer spaniels and terriers, in ?disgraceful? conditions at a squalid farm in Aberdeenshire. Investigators said the set-up was like a ?battery farm for pups?. James was banned from keeping more than two dogs in 2013, but is thought to have flouted that ban and continued regardless.
The charity removed 105 animals, including 87 dogs (Picture: SWNS)
The terrible conditions at ?the largest puppy farm in Scotland?, owned by Frank James, 53, and Michelle Wood, 29, - who have been convited of animals cruelty offenses. See SWNS story SWSCdogs. Cruel breeders who owned the ?largest puppy farm in Scotland? and are thought to have burnt the corpses of dead dogs in a van were convicted of animal cruelty offences. Frank James, 53, and Michelle Wood, 29, kept nearly 100 dogs, including Springer spaniels and terriers, in ?disgraceful? conditions at a squalid farm in Aberdeenshire. Investigators said the set-up was like a ?battery farm for pups?. James was banned from keeping more than two dogs in 2013, but is thought to have flouted that ban and continued regardless.
Investigators said dogs on site were being intensively bred with little to no regard for their welfare.(Picture: SWNS)

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A Scottish SPCA investigator said: ‘We believe this was the largest scale puppy farming operation in Scotland.

‘The conditions these dogs were being kept in were absolutely disgraceful.

‘It fell far below the minimum standard in terms of animal welfare and, given the environment and sheer volume of puppies, it was immediately evident these were not being kept as pets and the premises was effectively a battery farm for pups.

‘Our investigation revealed dogs on site were being intensively bred with little to no regard for their welfare.

‘On site, we found a burnt-out van which had dog carcasses within, suggesting this was a means of disposing of dead pups.’

The terrible conditions at ?the largest puppy farm in Scotland?, owned by Frank James, 53, and Michelle Wood, 29, - who have been convited of animals cruelty offenses. See SWNS story SWSCdogs. Cruel breeders who owned the ?largest puppy farm in Scotland? and are thought to have burnt the corpses of dead dogs in a van were convicted of animal cruelty offences. Frank James, 53, and Michelle Wood, 29, kept nearly 100 dogs, including Springer spaniels and terriers, in ?disgraceful? conditions at a squalid farm in Aberdeenshire. Investigators said the set-up was like a ?battery farm for pups?. James was banned from keeping more than two dogs in 2013, but is thought to have flouted that ban and continued regardless.
It is thought the pair burned the corpses of dead dogs in a van (Picture: SWNS)
The terrible conditions at ?the largest puppy farm in Scotland?, owned by Frank James, 53, and Michelle Wood, 29, - who have been convited of animals cruelty offenses. See SWNS story SWSCdogs. Cruel breeders who owned the ?largest puppy farm in Scotland? and are thought to have burnt the corpses of dead dogs in a van were convicted of animal cruelty offences. Frank James, 53, and Michelle Wood, 29, kept nearly 100 dogs, including Springer spaniels and terriers, in ?disgraceful? conditions at a squalid farm in Aberdeenshire. Investigators said the set-up was like a ?battery farm for pups?. James was banned from keeping more than two dogs in 2013, but is thought to have flouted that ban and continued regardless.
The breeders were convicted of animal cruelty (Picture: SWNS)
The terrible conditions at ?the largest puppy farm in Scotland?, owned by Frank James, 53, and Michelle Wood, 29, - who have been convited of animals cruelty offenses. See SWNS story SWSCdogs. Cruel breeders who owned the ?largest puppy farm in Scotland? and are thought to have burnt the corpses of dead dogs in a van were convicted of animal cruelty offences. Frank James, 53, and Michelle Wood, 29, kept nearly 100 dogs, including Springer spaniels and terriers, in ?disgraceful? conditions at a squalid farm in Aberdeenshire. Investigators said the set-up was like a ?battery farm for pups?. James was banned from keeping more than two dogs in 2013, but is thought to have flouted that ban and continued regardless.
All surviving animals were rehomed (Picture: SWNS)

All of the surviving animals have been rehomed, following a successful civil action before the court case concluded, the charity said.

Scottish SPCA chief superintendent Mike Flynn said: ‘In our centres, care costs an average of £15 per dog a day, so picking up the pieces from breeders who prioritise profit over welfare puts a massive strain on our resources.

The routine of caring for a pet can bring structure and purpose to daily life. Maybe you don’t always want to get out of bed, but your pet wants you to. Isn’t that a good thing?

‘Thankfully, the decision to pursue a civil action in this instance means many of these animals found their forever homes long ago.’

He added: ‘The quickest way to halt the supply of illegally bred pups is for public demand to fall.’