Father and son who kept dozens of dogs in filthy conditions handed ban

A father and son caught running a puppy farm where dogs were over-bred and neglected have been banned from keeping animals for 10 years.

Samuel Hessin, 48, and his son, also Samuel, 22, both pled guilty to a string of charges over the treatment of dogs at their farm at Balnamoon at Crossroads near Keith in Morayshire.

During a raid, inspectors from the Scottish SPCA (SSPCA) removed 56 dogs including a number of pregnant ones

Rescue officers discovered the animals living in small crates in unhygienic conditions, with many suffering from diseases, including skin conditions and eye infections.

A number of the dogs, made up from a mixture of breeds including Staffordshire bull terriers and labradors, were visibly coughing and passing bloody faecal matter.

Hessin jnr pled guilty to misleading commercial practices and causing unnecessary suffering by failing to provide adequate care and treatment, while Hessin snr admitted running an unlicensed pet shop which put scores of dogs up for sale.

Both men will also be under supervision for 18 months.