Puppy dealer banned from owning pets after selling dogs in poor condition at Renfrew car park

A puppy dealer, who sold dogs in poor condition at a Renfrew car park, has been banned from owning pets.

The Scottish SPCA Special Investigation Unit launched a probe after Police Scotland raised concerns that Sean McDonagh, from Omagh in Northern Ireland, was selling puppies from the back of his van at a public car park.

Officers attended the incident alongside SSPCA inspectors and found three Labrador puppies in two carriers in the rear of the vehicle.

The conditions were described as “very poor that posed serious risk to their health”. No water was provided, there was insufficient bedding and one of puppies was severely underweight and lethargic.

Three other puppies purchased from McDonagh were also underweight, and tested positive for serious and often deadly illnesses including Giardia, severe enteritis, ear infections and Parvovirus.

Two of the puppies were nursed back to health and have since been rehomed into loving families. One was put to sleep to prevent further suffering.

A Scottish Special Investigations Unit inspector said: “Upon arrival, it was clear the puppies were being kept in poor and unsafe conditions. One of them was visibly underweight and appeared to be significantly ill. It looked like McDonagh has been living in the van.

“All three puppies were removed from McDonagh’s care and taken for urgent veterinary treatment. All were found to have low body condition scores, and two were microchipped but had not been registered.”

McDonagh was deemed to have caused unnecessary suffering to three golden retriever puppies by failing to seek urgent veterinary care, ultimately leading to the death of one.

He also sold puppies without holding a valid pet-selling licence. All the puppies had been separated prematurely from their mothers and not provided with appropriate vaccinations.

The Northern Irishman pled guilty to five animal welfare charges and one licensing regulations offence.

He has been banned from owning, keeping, selling and transporting animals, or working with them in any way, as well as from running a service where he’s in charge of any animals, for six years.

McDonagh was also fined £4,800.

The Scottish SPCA inspector added: “We are pleased with the outcome of the court’s decision. This was one of the most harrowing cases I worked on. The dogs were in terrible conditions and deeply distressed. The back of that van is an image that will forever stay with me.

“McDonagh caused huge pain to the puppies and left the owners who went on to purchase them heartbroken.

“As we head into Christmas, we urge members of the public who are thinking of purchasing a puppy, to please research the seller, meet the puppy’s mum, and walk away and report it if something feels wrong. We are continuing to work tirelessly to put an end to the low-welfare puppy trade.”