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STARVED: one of the dogs rescued from Millington’s care
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Seized dogs kept in rough conditions
26/ 3/2008
THE owner of a Mossley kennels has been ordered to pay more than £9,000 after being found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to 15 dogs.
Stuart Millington, who has owned Hilltop Kennels on Luzley Road for 20 years, pleaded guilty to the charge, which related to 14 Pit Bull Terrier type dogs and one cross breed dog between 10 March and 24 March last year.
The dogs were siezed by Merseyside Police as part of an investigation in the wake of the death of five-year-old Ellie Lawrenson who was killed by her uncle’s pitbull in St Helens.
Prosecutor Mark Harper said the RSPCA launched an investigation after the owner of a dog raised concerns about the condition of his animal.
The remaining dogs were seized and found to be in an ‘extremely poor bodily condition’. They had wounds including tail tip injuries and some had to have their tails amputated .
Their kennels were cold and wet with rough concrete floors and no food or water and little evidence of bedding.
Defending, Jane Mack, described Millington, 61, as a ‘conscientious individual’.
She said Tameside vet Michael Gourley had submitted a character reference. And she added that Merseyside Police only phoned Millington 30 minutes before arriving with the dogs.
Miss Mack said: "If you were talking about a person who didn’t care about his job, one would assume there would be concerns about the other types of dogs.
"There were no concerns about these and I have a collection of references from people who will only use Mr Millington when they go away. "The bottom line is Mr Millington bit off more than he could chew."
Mr Harper added: "The facts are relatively straight forward, the dogs were taken there in good condition and they were returned not in a good condition. It’s lack of care that’s brought the case to this stage."
Magistrates ordered him to pay a £2,000 fine and £7,668 costs.
He was not banned from owning or looking after animals.
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