This was the shocking scene found by inspectors from Bristol’s Trading Standards, after they were called to reports that a man was running an illegal dog breeding operation in the east of the city.
Pregnant dogs and puppies were being illegally imported into the UK and kept in cramped and ‘appalling’ cages in a house in the Kingswood area of the city, and the seriousness of the case that has finally been brought to court has prompted the Mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees, to issue a plea to people to do their research before buying a puppy.
Shocked Trading Standards officers first began to investigate back in April 2020 and a number of people and different addresses connected to the operation were monitored and investigated. When they went into the house on Two Mile Hill Road, they were appalled at what they found.
Read more: Kingswood man admits fraudulent import of dogs and causing them suffering
Officers carried out a search of the property and found seven dogs being kept in bare cages in a shipping container in the garden. The dogs were immediately seized due to the poor conditions they were being kept in, which was causing serious suffering, the council said.
The man living in the house, Attila Kovacs, was convicted at Bristol Crown Court on six counts of causing unnecessary suffering, one count of failing to ensure the needs of an animal were met and another count of breeding dogs without a licence.
He pleaded guilty in October 2022 and was finally sentenced this week. Kovacs was well known to the authorities. Back in 2016, he was issued with a Criminal Behaviour Order after he was found to be illegally owning and trading in dogs.
When he was sentenced to a jail term of two years in prison - suspended for 21 months - the court heard just how shocking the conditions were when investigators asked Kovacs to open up the shipping container in the garden.
“Mr Kovacs unlocked the shipping container and the officers and veterinarian entered,” said Lee Reynolds, prosecuting. “Within the locked shipping container were a total of seven dogs in four cages situated at the rear of the container.
"There was also a larger cage just inside the door, which was empty. Attila Kovacs advised that this is where the Rottweiler was kept. The cage measured 108cm wide, 74cm high, and 76cm deep. There was no food, water, or bedding present in the cage.
"When the door was opened it was very dark within the container. Officers tried the light switch, but nothing happened. They were met with a strong smell of stale faeces and urine.
"There were three small windows, two of which were covered with wood panels and one which was very slightly open. These windows provided very little ventilation and very little natural light.
"There were three ‘fly-strips’ hanging from the ceiling, all which were completely covered with dead flies. The floor of the container was scattered with loose rat bait and there were several holes in the floor of the container, where it met the walls,” he added.
The dogs within the container were found to have infections to their ears and eyes, the court heard. Though they had been caused suffering, fortunately all were treatable and survived.
Kovacs was also ordered to undertake 150 hours community service, and a fresh ten-year Criminal Behaviour Order was placed against him. That CBO means he’s banned from any future involvement in the importation, sale, advertising or distribution of animals. There are also restrictions on how many pets he can have - no more than two domestic pets which must be photographed and microchipped. He must also tell the local authority if he ever moves house.
The good news is that all the dogs were rescued and nursed back to health. Bristol City Council shared pictures of three of the dogs, Jo, Marge and Maddie, after they had fully recovered.
The Mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees, said the case showed why it was important for anyone wanting to buy a dog to do their homework first.
“Unlicensed puppy dealers and breeders like this sadly always prioritise profit over animal welfare,” he added. “We refuse to tolerate such activities in Bristol and hope today’s court verdict sends a clear message to anyone who thinks they can make money from this illegal and abhorrent trade.
“Puppies bought from unlicensed breeders are often reared in appalling conditions and are likely to suffer ill health as a result. They can also be at risk of congenital health problems and may not have been vaccinated correctly.
“If you are planning to buy a new puppy, make sure you do your research and find a legitimate breeder and always ensure that you see the puppy interacting with its mother. If you are able to, please consider adopting,” he added.
If you have concerns that your puppy may have been bred as a consequence of illegal breeding contact your local Trading Standards Team. Any information on illegal dog breeding in Bristol can be passed to Bristol Trading Standards via animal.health@bristol.gov.uk
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