Latest news with #SSPCA
Daily Record
5 hours ago
- Daily Record
Victims of illegal puppy trader open up on heartbreak of desperate attempt to save dogs
New owners fell in love with defenceless pups and were immediately faced with a desperate fight for life - and huge vet bills. Victims of illegal puppy trader Julie Taylor have told how they battled to save the lives of their tiny dogs. The dog owners have spoken out after the SSPCA's Special Investigations Unit busted Taylor, who was running an unlicensed 'puppy shop' from a filthy home in Ayrshire. The Daily Record told yesterday how Taylor was branded 'cruel and abhorrent' and banned from keeping animals for ten years as she was nailed in court. We told how one dog died, leading the new owner - an off duty police officer - to call in the animal charity's SIU to bring Taylor to justice. Another dog lover to have a nightmare ordeal due to the appalling conditions Taylor was subjecting pups to was Gillian Linton, 35, from Clydebank. The civil servant told how she instantly fell in love with a tiny Spaniel she called Primrose. She ended up paying more than £2,000 in vet bills after forming a powerful bond with the tiny pup, which almost died but eventually pulled through. Gillian, who bought Primrose at Taylor's home in Stewarton on Christmas Eve, 2023, said: 'We were meant to be getting a Blenheim Spaniel but the pup turned out to be a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. 'When she was presented to us she was stinking and her tummy was distended. She was in a bad way. Julie said she had just been fed but alarm bells were ringing loudly. 'The wee dog dropped flat on the floor and started crawling along in a strange way. She was lost and distressed. 'I picked her up and she snuggled into my neck and I was probably committed to her from that point, with no way of going back because I just couldn't leave her there. 'I had to rescue her - and I can't help but wonder how many other dog lovers felt the same way with other pups. Gillian transferred £795 to Taylor on the spot. She said: 'I asked to use the bathroom upstairs and I could see the house wasn't normal, with big piles of stuff in rooms and flooring had been ripped up. I guessed it had just been transformed by the puppy farm trade that was going on. 'As soon as we got Primrose home she started to cough and she would stop breathing for a but then produce a hacking cough that was awful to watch. 'She was really ill and we thought she was going to die.' Gillian said she had to take Primrose to the vet on New Year's Day because she thought the pup would die otherwise. She said: 'She was full of worms and her ears were infected and foul smelling. She was a poor wee soul. ' Gillian added: 'Primrose is 18 months old and really good now - but that's a miracle after the start she had in life. 'To think that people have been mistreating defenceless pups so badly for quick cash makes me feel very sad and it's good that the SSPCA shut these people down.' Eleanor Sullivan, 66, also said she immediately felt a duty to rescue the Cavapoo pup - which she called Jax - due to its pitiful condition when shown it. Former school worker Eleanor, from Cumbernauld, said: 'Jax was a bit of a sorry state, with terrible ear mites and a cough but I had to rescue this defenceless animal. 'I had a dog cage at the bottom of my bed but when I locked the door the pup went mad, throwing himself at the cage door.' Eleanor said the dog looked 'lost' and behaved like it had never interacted with humans before. She said: 'It was shaking and looked terrified. It was obvious from the start that the pups weren't right and Jax looked a lot younger than the eight weeks Julie said she was. 'I also discovered that different adverts were appearing online, supposedly selling the same dogs but with different phone numbers. I think it was just a conveyor belt of pups. 'These people rely on people like me forming an instant attachment. They shouldn't be allowed to have anything to do with animals.' The Record told yesterday how PC Elaine McArthur's cockapoo pup Marley fought for life then died of deadly parvo virus, three days after leaving Taylor's home. 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. 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. Taylor admitted cruelty and operating without a licence, which saw her banned from keeping dogs for 10 years at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court. 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. Taylor was also given a Community Payback Order to include unpaid work of 240 hours. She will also face a Proceeds of Crime investigation and could have thousands of pounds clawed back.
Borneo Post
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Embrace 3.0 returns to Kuching, celebrating community, compassion for animals
Yap (third left) joins (from right) Sim, Chia and Yeo in promoting the 'Embrace Programme 3.0', to take place at Tropics City in Kuching next month. KUCHING (June 20): The third edition of the 'Embrace Programme', run by the Padawan Chapter of Junior Chamber International (JCI), will highlight youths, community, and animal lovers. Taking place at Tropics City here this July 4 to 6, the programme is a collaborative effort with the Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) and B.E.E Hive Events. According to the deputy organising head Martiana Chia, with a continued mission of building a more compassionate and empowered community, the programme will feature a free rabies vaccination 'drive-thru', pet adoption booths, pet fashion show, baby goat mini-farm, live performances, and eco-conscious workshops such as soap-making and natural fabric dyeing. 'We are honoured to partner with SSPCA and The Hive Event by Bee Gastronomy for Embrace Programme 3.0. Over the past two editions, we've witnessed how this programme has opened doors for youth development and community impact. 'We are calling for more vendors to join us in creating an engaging experience for the public,' she said in a press conference held at the Kota Sentosa Service Centre here recently. Among those present were Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap, JCI Padawan president Alaric Sim, and The Hive Event by Bee Gastronomy representative Joanne Yeo. Sim meanwhile highlighted the programme as being aligned with JCI's core values and also Sarawak's development goals. 'Building the community is what JCI is about. We cultivate youth leadership by giving young people the opportunities to channel their creativity and energy into impactful causes. 'Embrace supports Sarawak's goals of prosperity, inclusivity and sustainability by creating income opportunities for vendors, welcoming every member of the family including pets, and hosting eco-friendly workshops.' As for Yap, he encouraged the public to visit the event, support local talents, and be inspired by the creativity and energy of the youths. 'The Embrace programme is a shining example of what happens when we invest in our young people and give them the platform that they deserve. 'Let us continue to support such positive initiatives for the betterment of our community and the future of Sarawak,' he said. For more information, follow @ @jcipadawan, and @sspca on major social media platforms.
STV News
12 hours ago
- STV News
Woman handed ten-year ban after running illegal puppy farm
A woman has been handed a ten-year ban from owning animals after running an illegal puppy farm in East Ayrshire. Julie Taylor was sentenced at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court after pleading guilty to illegally selling puppies and failing to provide for their basic welfare needs. The puppies were described as being kept in poor conditions, separated prematurely from their mothers, and not provided with appropriate veterinary care or vaccinations. Many were housed in unsuitable, unhygienic environments that posed a serious risk to their health. Scottish SPCA opened an investigation after a concerned member of the public responded to an online advert on the site Pets4Home in December 2023. The person had met Taylor to purchase a puppy but noticed that the animal emitted a strong odour, appeared lethargic and frightened, and had a visibly distended stomach. SSPCA Julie Taylor illegally sold puppies and failed to provide for their basic welfare needs. Taylor could also not provide clear answers about the puppy's age or details about its mother during the transaction. The witness told a Scottish SPCA inspector that within a day of the purchase, the puppy's health deteriorated rapidly. A veterinary examination revealed the puppy was approximately eight weeks old, rather than ten, and was suffering from a respiratory infection. 'The puppy had not been microchipped and showed signs of poor care consistent with having come from a puppy farm,' the officer said. The puppy was prescribed antibiotics and probiotics, but her condition worsened. Further veterinary treatment identified potential lung and ear infections, as well as internal parasites. 'Vets noted that the animal's suffering could have been avoided with proper health protocols and concluded the conditions were consistent with those found in illegal puppy farms,' the report added. The animal charity said the case highlights the 'distressing consequences' of the illegal puppy trade. 'Puppies raised in unlicensed, unregulated environments often suffer serious illness or even death due to early separation from their mothers, lack of proper care, and exposure to parasites,' SSPCA said. Taylor was found to have sold puppies without the necessary licence and failed to take steps to ensure the welfare of 16 puppies. She was given a ten-year ban on keeping animals, a 200-hour community payback order, a five-month restriction of liberty order and was ordered to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work. A spokesperson for the SSPCA said the charity was satisfied with the outcome due to Taylor's 'significant role' in the illegal and unethical puppy trade. 'We receive frequent complaints from buyers whose new puppies are seriously ill shortly after purchase. Many sellers use online platforms while posing as private individuals to avoid scrutiny,' they said. 'The financial and emotional burden placed on unsuspecting buyers is huge, and there can also be serious health risks to humans from infections such as roundworms.' The spokesperson continued: 'The sentence sends a clear message to others engaged in this type of activity. The scale of suffering in cases like this is unacceptable and avoidable. Stronger deterrents are needed to combat the illegal puppy trade and protect both animals and the public.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Glasgow Times
20 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Woman banned from keeping animals over puppy trade
Julie Taylor was sentenced at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court after admitting to selling puppies without a licence and failing to meet their basic welfare needs, pleading guilty on May 6 2025. The Kilmarnock woman sold puppies without the required pet-selling licence and failed to properly care for 16 young dogs. The puppies were kept in poor conditions, separated from their mothers too early, and denied appropriate veterinary care and vaccinations. READ MORE: SSPCA forced entry into Glasgow home to find neglected dogs in cages The animals were housed in 'unsuitable and unhygienic environments' that placed their health at serious risk. In addition to the 10-year ban on owning animals, she was handed a 200-hour community payback order, a five-month restriction of liberty order, and ordered to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work. The Scottish SPCA launched an investigation after a member of the public raised concerns about an online advert on the website Pets4Home in December 2023. The listing offered King Charles Cavalier Spaniel puppies for sale in Kilmarnock and claimed the animals were microchipped and vet-checked. READ MORE: SSPCA 'disappointed' with sentencing of woman after three dogs found starved A Scottish SPCA inspector said: 'The buyer met Taylor, who handed over the puppy described as the last available. The witness immediately noted that the animal emitted a strong odour, appeared lethargic and frightened, and had a visibly distended stomach. "When questioned, Taylor was unable to provide clear answers about the puppy's age or details about its mother. 'Within a day of purchase, the puppy's health deteriorated rapidly. "A veterinary examination revealed the puppy was significantly younger than claimed—approximately 8 weeks old rather than 10—and suffering from a respiratory infection. "The puppy had not been microchipped and showed signs of poor care consistent with having come from a puppy farm. 'The puppy was prescribed antibiotics and probiotics, but her condition worsened. "Further veterinary treatment identified potential lung and ear infections, as well as internal parasites. "Vets noted that the animal's suffering could have been avoided with proper health protocols and concluded the conditions were consistent with those found in illegal puppy farms. 'This case highlights the distressing consequences of the illegal puppy trade. "Puppies raised in unlicensed, unregulated environments often suffer serious illness or even death due to early separation from their mothers, lack of proper care, and exposure to parasites. 'We receive frequent complaints from buyers whose new puppies are seriously ill shortly after purchase. "Many sellers use online platforms while posing as private individuals to avoid scrutiny. "The financial and emotional burden placed on unsuspecting buyers is huge, and there can also be serious health risks to humans from infections such as roundworms. "We are satisfied with the sentencing outcome, as this individual played a significant role in the illegal and unethical puppy trade. "The sentence sends a clear message to others engaged in this type of activity. "The scale of suffering in cases like this is unacceptable and avoidable. Stronger deterrents are needed to combat the illegal puppy trade and protect both animals and the public.' The Scottish SPCA continues to urge potential pet owners to adopt from reputable sources and to thoroughly research sellers when considering purchasing a pet online.
Daily Record
a day 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.
