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Daily Record
2 days ago
- Daily Record
Scots cop takes down puppy farm after dog bought for her kids dies days later
Julie Taylor was caught red-handed with 16 terrified dogs, of various breeds, being held in a filthy toilet and covered in dog waste. An off-duty cop brought down a puppy farm operation after a tiny dog she bought for her children died just three days later. Elaine McArthur was among 20 people who bought puppies from Julie Taylor, who was selling dogs riddled with disease from her council house in Stewarton, Ayrshire. After enduring a three-day nightmare over a Christmas weekend, Elaine's cockapoo pup Marley fought for life then died of deadly parvo virus. Distraught mum Elaine turned the tables on Taylor by calling in SSPCA investigators, who raided the trader's home and shut the operation down. Taylor, 41, was caught red-handed with 16 terrified dogs, of various breeds, being held in a filthy toilet and covered in dog waste. Taylor admitted cruelty and operating without a licence, which saw her banned from keeping dogs for 10 years at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court yesterday. Police constable Elaine, from Kilmarnock, told how she was buying the pup for her 11-year-old twins Jack and Amy two days before Christmas in 2023. All three had fallen in love with the pup on sight. But after taking the pup home he fell ill with parvo virus and a vet had to put him to sleep three days later. Elaine said: 'The experience was very traumatic for all of us and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. It was a real ordeal for the family and it was all about these people making easy money. Amy was really badly affected by it all. She didn't want another dog because she was really broken hearted.' She added: 'The only positive thing I can say, which is also terrible, is that if I hadn't gone along there the pup might have died alone in what was effectively a cage, suffering a terrible death. I also hope that we managed to put these people out of business, although I'm sure the people supplying the pups will still be operating elsewhere.' Taylor had told customers on sites like Pets4Homes that the pups were the offspring of her family's pet. But the sales methods by sneaky Taylor – who allowed other sellers to use her home on David Dale Avenue – has been described as 'straight out of the handbook for puppy farm shop fronts' by an SSPCA inspector. Elaine – a PC with 30 years' experience – said alarm bells were sounded due to the bad smell in the house. She was swayed because she didn't want to go back to kids Amy and Jack without a pup. The police officer said Marley was frail when they got him home and started to cough up traces of blood. Elaine, 52, took Marley to the vet, where parvo virus was diagnosed. She told how she went straight to Stewarton to confront the seller, a woman who called herself Jackie. But she ended up face to face with Julie Taylor, to whom she'd transferred £800 to buy the pup. She said: 'I was really upset but I was also angry and I was determined to stop the same thing happening to other families. I went straight from the vet to Stewarton along with a friend and by the time I got there another couple had turned up at the door to buy another dog. I advised them to clear out because my dog had been diagnosed with parvo.' While Elaine was there, Taylor appeared and she said that Jackie was her sister. Elaine managed to get Taylor to refund the £800 she paid for the pup, as well as agree to pay the vet's bill of £1200. She said: 'I didn't say what I did for a living but I told her to go ahead and call whoever she liked, as I was doing everything I was entitled to – including calling the SSPCA.' Elaine was determined to see justice done and supported the investigation into Taylor – resulting in a conviction for animal abuse. Taylor admitted neglecting the pets and selling them without a licence and at her home between July 2023 and March 2024. She failed to take steps to ensure the needs of the animals were met from December 2023 to March 2024 at her home and elsewhere. Taylor also cruelly separated puppies from their mothers and failed to provide them with suitable and hygienic living conditions. She pleaded guilty, with not guilty pleas accepted regarding 20 further allegations. In court yesterday, Taylor's defence lawyer Graeme Cunningham said he could not deny that she was the front of an 'abhorrent' puppy farm operation, where dogs were badly treated then sold on for large amounts of cash. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Cunningham said his client had found herself in debt to criminals who masterminded the operation and was repaying the majority of her sordid profits to them. He said: 'This is a puppy farm in a council estate in Stewarton. It is a trade that the vast majority of decent people would think to be abhorrent.' The lawyer admitted that Taylor had been overwhelmed by the pups and was unable to care for them – despite having two dogs of her own that were allowed to sleep in her own bed. Passing sentence, Sheriff Morag Fraser said she would show mercy to Taylor for her good previous record but passed the most serious alternative available to her. She said: 'I have to think of animal protection. The condition of these dogs was awful and they must have suffered a great deal.' She banned Taylor for 10 years from keeping animals and imposed a Community Payback Order of 18 months, to include unpaid work of 240 hours. Taylor was ordered to wear a tag to restrict her movements for five months. She will also face a Proceeds of Crime investigation and could have thousands of pounds clawed back.
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Toddler mauled by Japanese fighting dog which couple bought online for £150
The child's injuries are 'getting worse' DOG HORROR Toddler mauled by Japanese fighting dog which couple bought online for £150 Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A COUPLE have been jailed after a Japanese fighting dog bought for £150 online left a toddler scarred for life. Kayleigh Godbert, 39, and Thomas Moir, 38, housed the dangerous Akita dog - historically used for hunting bears - before it savaged the child's face. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Kayleigh Godbert, 39 Credit: WNS 3 Thomas Moir, 38, was asleep during the attack Credit: WNS 3 Akita were bred to fight bears Credit: Getty - Contributor The toddler was left with "truly breathtaking" facial injuries from the attack by the powerful dog, a court heard. Judge Simon Mills said the child was "lucky" to be alive and described one of the kid's lacerations as "absolutely awful". Prosecutor Emmalyne Downing said Godbert had bought the Akita dog from a Pets4Homes website for £150 before bringing it into their home. The couple had already been warned over their mut's behaviour, after it attacked someone nearer their home. The couple failed to protect the child in this instance. Miss Downing said a woman had warned Moir: "That dog could have ripped them to bits". She urged Moir to "get rid of the dog because it could not be trusted". But the couple ignored the warnings - and the dog struck months later to savage the toddler. A paramedic found the child - who cannot be named - had a deep cut to the head and a facial injury. Thankfully, the tot was taken to hospital - but they will be scarred for life. An expert who has seen the child said the appearance of the scars "is getting worse with time," according to the judge. The dog called Nuqe bit the poor youngster at least six times. Moir had been drinking for 18 hours and was asleep at the time of the attack in Flintshire, North Wales. Duncan Bould, for Godbert, said she had tried to have the dog rehomed after that first incident and that she believed it should have been put down. Alexandra Carrier, defending Moir, said her client had taken steps to rehome the dog but there had been a "failure to see them through." "It was not a failure to act altogether," she added. The dog had been "utterly beyond" the defendants' ability to control it, he added. The judge described the injuries as "truly breathtaking" and said that the dog should have been euthanised before that attack. He said the first attack had been a "clear warning that the dog posed a risk". Speaking to the pair, he said: "I accept you had taken some steps to rehome it or muzzle it. "But the dog can't have been muzzled because it caused the injuries it did. "It bit six times. "The injuries suffered in what appears to have been an unrestrained dog attack were frightening. "Although the doctors have done a good job in repairing those injuries, the child still, to this day, carries the scars." The dangerous dog has in fact been put down since then, but that factor "pales into insignificance in comparison to what it did." He said: "This incident could and should have been foreseen." Godbert and Moir were both jailed for 18 months after they admitted owning or being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control which caused injury. Jailing the pair at Mold Crown Court, he also disqualified them from keeping or owning a dog for seven years. Detective Constable James Grimwood said: 'This was a horrific incident and has sadly resulted in serious and lasting injuries to a vulnerable child. "Both Moir and Godbert have shown little remorse throughout this investigation despite the lifelong consequences their actions have had on a young child. 'The court outcome reflects the seriousness of this incident, and I hope that this sends a message to any dog owners to ensure that they do not leave dogs alone with children." ends
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Toddler mauled by Japanese fighting dog which couple bought online for £150
A COUPLE have been jailed after a Japanese fighting dog bought for £150 online left a toddler scarred for life. Kayleigh Godbert, 39, and Thomas Moir, 38, housed the dangerous Akita dog - historically used for hunting bears - before it savaged the child's face. Advertisement 3 Kayleigh Godbert, 39 Credit: WNS 3 Thomas Moir, 38, was asleep during the attack Credit: WNS 3 Akita were bred to fight bears Credit: Getty - Contributor The toddler was left with "truly breathtaking" facial injuries from the attack by the powerful dog, a court heard. Judge Simon Mills said the child was "lucky" to be alive and described one of the kid's lacerations as "absolutely awful". Prosecutor Emmalyne Downing said Godbert had bought the Akita dog from a Pets4Homes website for £150 before bringing it into their home. The couple had already been warned over their mut's behaviour, after it attacked someone nearer their home. Advertisement Read more News The couple failed to protect the child in this instance. Miss Downing said a woman had warned Moir: "That dog could have ripped them to bits". She urged Moir to "get rid of the dog because it could not be trusted". But the couple ignored the warnings - and the dog struck months later to savage the toddler. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Breaking A paramedic found the child - who cannot be named - had a deep cut to the head and a facial injury. Thankfully, the tot was taken to hospital - but they will be scarred for life. An expert who has seen the child said the appearance of the scars "is getting worse with time," according to the judge. The dog called Nuqe bit the poor youngster at least six times. Advertisement Moir had been drinking for 18 hours and was asleep at the time of the attack in Flintshire, North Wales. Duncan Bould, for Godbert, said she had tried to have the dog rehomed after that first incident and that she believed it should have been put down. Alexandra Carrier, defending Moir, said her client had taken steps to rehome the dog but there had been a "failure to see them through." "It was not a failure to act altogether," she added. Advertisement The dog had been "utterly beyond" the defendants' ability to control it, he added. The judge described the injuries as "truly breathtaking" and said that the dog should have been euthanised before that attack. He said the first attack had been a "clear warning that the dog posed a risk". Speaking to the pair, he said: "I accept you had taken some steps to rehome it or muzzle it. Advertisement "But the dog can't have been muzzled because it caused the injuries it did. "It bit six times. "The injuries suffered in what appears to have been an unrestrained dog attack were frightening. "Although the doctors have done a good job in repairing those injuries, the child still, to this day, carries the scars." Advertisement The dangerous dog has in fact been put down since then, but that factor "pales into insignificance in comparison to what it did." He said: "This incident could and should have been foreseen." Godbert and Moir were both jailed for 18 months after they admitted owning or being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control which caused injury. Jailing the pair at Mold Crown Court, he also disqualified them from keeping or owning a dog for seven years. Advertisement Detective Constable James Grimwood said: 'This was a horrific incident and has sadly resulted in serious and lasting injuries to a vulnerable child. "Both Moir and Godbert have shown little remorse throughout this investigation despite the lifelong consequences their actions have had on a young child. 'The court outcome reflects the seriousness of this incident, and I hope that this sends a message to any dog owners to ensure that they do not leave dogs alone with children." ends
The Sun
4 days ago
- The Sun
Toddler mauled by Japanese fighting dog which couple bought online for £150
A COUPLE have been jailed after a Japanese fighting dog bought for £150 online left a toddler scarred for life. Kayleigh Godbert, 39, and Thomas Moir, 38, housed the dangerous Akita dog - historically used for hunting bears - before it savaged the child's face. 3 3 3 The toddler was left with "truly breathtaking" facial injuries from the attack by the powerful dog, a court heard. Judge Simon Mills said the child was "lucky" to be alive and described one of the kid's lacerations as "absolutely awful". Prosecutor Emmalyne Downing said Godbert had bought the Akita dog from a Pets4Homes website for £150 before bringing it into their home. The couple had already been warned over their mut's behaviour, after it attacked someone nearer their home. The couple failed to protect the child in this instance. Miss Downing said a woman had warned Moir: "That dog could have ripped them to bits". She urged Moir to "get rid of the dog because it could not be trusted". But the couple ignored the warnings - and the dog struck months later to savage the toddler. A paramedic found the child - who cannot be named - had a deep cut to the head and a facial injury. Thankfully, the tot was taken to hospital - but they will be scarred for life. An expert who has seen the child said the appearance of the scars "is getting worse with time," according to the judge. The dog called Nuqe bit the poor youngster at least six times. Moir had been drinking for 18 hours and was asleep at the time of the attack in Flintshire, North Wales. Duncan Bould, for Godbert, said she had tried to have the dog rehomed after that first incident and that she believed it should have been put down. Alexandra Carrier, defending Moir, said her client had taken steps to rehome the dog but there had been a "failure to see them through." "It was not a failure to act altogether," she added. The dog had been "utterly beyond" the defendants' ability to control it, he added. The judge described the injuries as "truly breathtaking" and said that the dog should have been euthanised before that attack. He said the first attack had been a "clear warning that the dog posed a risk". Speaking to the pair, he said: "I accept you had taken some steps to rehome it or muzzle it. "But the dog can't have been muzzled because it caused the injuries it did. "It bit six times. "The injuries suffered in what appears to have been an unrestrained dog attack were frightening. "Although the doctors have done a good job in repairing those injuries, the child still, to this day, carries the scars." The dangerous dog has in fact been put down since then, but that factor "pales into insignificance in comparison to what it did." He said: "This incident could and should have been foreseen." Godbert and Moir were both jailed for 18 months after they admitted owning or being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control which caused injury. Jailing the pair at Mold Crown Court, he also disqualified them from keeping or owning a dog for seven years. Detective Constable James Grimwood said: 'This was a horrific incident and has sadly resulted in serious and lasting injuries to a vulnerable child. "Both Moir and Godbert have shown little remorse throughout this investigation despite the lifelong consequences their actions have had on a young child. 'The court outcome reflects the seriousness of this incident, and I hope that this sends a message to any dog owners to ensure that they do not leave dogs alone with children." ends
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
£3 puppuccinos and £10 beef meatballs? Why Gen Z spends £145 a month on their pampered pooches
Gen Z: Can you keep your voice down? Boomer: Nursing a hangover? I'm teetotal. But loud noises trigger Bailey's stress disorder. He's a spaniel, not a Second World War veteran. He's actually a cavachon: a cavalier King Charles spaniel and bichon frise cross. Cost me £900 on Pets4Homes. Maybe his 'stress disorder' is the guilt he feels over draining your bank account. Three-quarters of people my age are worried about their dogs' anxiety levels, according to a survey by Companion Life. What's stressing him? The effect of Trump's tariffs on Royal Canin? GEN Z'S PUPS DINE AT FURRY-FRIENDLY SPOTS LIKE PAWSITIVE CAFÉ He actually only eats £3.50 cans of Lily's Kitchen Chicken & Turkey Casserole for dogs. Not inherited your veganism yet, then? Touché. His anxiety is a sign of intelligence, according to TikTok's @HappyWolf, AKA Alex, who posts about dog behaviour problems. And his obsession with chasing his tail? Rude. Apparently when your puppy growls, they're 'learning to communicate their boundaries' around being petted, Alex told her 786,000 followers. So the best way to stop my labrador barking at the postman is to tell him I validate his emotions? Yes, and to give him Kayode's Relax supplement, along with its 'Collagen Puptides' for a shiny coat, only £30 for 90 scoops. I'll stick to Bertie's biannual bath with Pets at Home's £3 dog shampoo – plus a Febreze spritz if I smell fox poo. You Boomers are so tight! Money mag Fortune found us Gen Zers spend around £145 a month on our pets, and you guys just £70. And yet you're always asking me for cash… I pay for Bailey's goodies by selling old clothes on Vinted, obviously. It's a full-time side hustle given I'm always WFH. I'm not sure selling your grubby old jeans is going to fund your penchant for oat lattes and dog sweaters. Bailey would never drink an oat latte. He prefers a £3 puppuccino from Paws For Coffee in Hampton. I meant your oat latte addiction! Don't tell me the dog's hooked, too? He's a sophisticated gastronome. He ate one of my mud-crusted Birkenstocks! More gour-mutt than gourmet. He also enjoys the £10 beef meatballs and courgette with fresh tomato purée at West London's Pawsitive Café. Treat day for my Bertie means table scraps from our Sunday roast, not a remake of the pasta dish from Lady And The Tramp. It's lit content for his #pupfluencer account. I'm gonna set him up on new dog social-media site Meet My Paws. They missed a trick not calling it Facebark. It is a bit like Facebook, actually. You can add local dog owners in your area, and select whether you're looking for friends or romantic partners. Talk about puppy love. Mock all you want, but doggy socials are a lucrative career. Winston the Weiner from Brisbane, Australia, is said to earn £3,500 per post. Winston the Weiner sounds like a better fit for OnlyFans than Facebark… He's a long-haired mini dachshund who narrates his life. If he's a talking dog, I'll happily give him £3,500 from my own pocket. Well, his mum pretends to be him narrating his life, but he looks adorbs while she does it. What does the bloke you've been seeing make of eating at Pawsitive Café to help Bailey's influencer career? He's in the bin. Didn't bring you flowers? No, he didn't bring Bailey liver treats. I'm with the 54 per cent of Gen Zers who see partners not getting along with their pooch as a dumpable offence. Gen Z is barking mad. It's a healthy choice. A recent study shows that owning a dog delivers a mood boost equal to a £70,000 salary increase. Don't tell Bertie, he'll be demanding a joint bank account and to be written into my will. Even better? They bring you 'more happiness than a romantic partner'. At last – something we agree on!
