Two men that were caught running an unlicensed animal fertility clinic from a shed have been fined and banned from owning dogs.
Alexander Myers ran a dog breeding and fertility operation from Paul Robertson’s home in Gorebridge, near Edinburgh, despite not holding a breeder’s licence or his property being registered as a veterinary practice.
Myers undertook a number of procedures on dogs that included artificial insemination, blood tests to monitor ovulation and microchipping, Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard.
Concerns for the dogs’ treatment were first raised by Police Scotland after they attended the property on an unrelated matter, prompting the force to alert the Scottish SPCA.
Upon arrival, a Scottish SPCA inspector described experiencing ‘an overwhelming stench of faeces and urine’ coming from ‘dark, poorly ventilated’ kennels and shed areas that were ‘coated in faeces’.
They added that a total of 32 dogs were located at the residence, with three ‘living in the house as pets, while the remainder were kept in unsanitary kennels.’
Later examinations revealed that multiple animals were suffering from ocular, skin, musculoskeletal and respiratory problems as a result of the poor treatment.
In one particularly shocking case, a female French Bulldog named Miss Piggy was found collapsed, shivering and with fresh wounds to her ears and face.
Alexander Myers (pictured) undertook a number of procedures on dogs including artificial insemination and microchipping. Paul Robertson was fined £270, while Myers received 180 hours community payback, a £90 fine, and a three-year ban on owning dogs
She was also found to have been suffering from an untreated ingrown toenail.
Despite urgent efforts, her condition was tragically too severe and she was later euthanised in a bid to ‘prevent further suffering’.
Paul Robertson was also understood to have been behind an intensive breeding programme that led to ‘Frankenstein’ hairless French bulldog puppies being sold, which was severely criticised by vets, the Daily Record revealed.
A further five dogs also had to be euthansised due to their poor health.
On September 16, the pair appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court where they pleaded guilty for the neglect of for Miss Piggy, which resulted in her suffering for at least four weeks before her death.
Both men pled not guilty to charges relating to the other dogs.
No convictions were made, with Robertson fined £270, while Myers received 180 hours community payback, a £90 fine, and a three-year ban on owning dogs.
The SSPCA said: ‘We respect the court’s decision but are disappointed the sentencing was not stronger.
‘Even so, this case is a step in the right direction in highlighting the risks of unregulated fertility clinics and the neglect of animal welfare that so often accompanies them.
‘Robertson and Myers have failed to ensure the welfare of the many dogs in their care.’
The SSPCA added that they are ‘increasingly seeing people operating fertility clinics from their homes’, adding that these ‘completely unregulated’ clinics ‘pose serious risks to animal welfare’.
They continued: ‘In some cases, animals are seriously injured after having blood drawn by unqualified individuals.’
Now, the charity is calling for fertility clinics to be formally regulated, with inspections carried out only by registered veterinary surgeons.
A spokesperson added: ‘We continue to advocate for a complete overhaul of the outdated Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, which no longer provides adequate safeguards for animal welfare.
‘We also urge anyone considering breeding their pets to consult their vet first, and to report any concerns about fertility clinics directly to our helpline.’
