Man banned after selling puppies infested with fleas

A man who tried to "make a quick buck" from ill puppies has been banned from keeping animals for five years.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court was told the pups were sold despite being in urgent need of care and attention.

Timothy Dean Lovell of Haverfordwest, pleaded guilty to offences concerning a female springer spaniel puppy named Bella, and a male cocker spaniel puppy named Teddy.

A severe lice infestation was found to be causing Bella to suffer unnecessarily and Teddy’s needs were not met, after Lovell failed to address his underweight body condition and flea infestation.

RSPCA Cymru says the defendant chose to “make a quick buck from ill pups”, and had failed to support the animals in their hour of need, favouring “cash over compassion”.

The pups were sold to separate households - one understood to have been for £300, and the other for £250.

Lovell was also given a 12-month community order, required to do 150 hours of unpaid work; and told to pay £300 in costs and an £85 victim surcharge.