Husband and wife puppy farmers facing jail for cruel treatment of dogs at unlicensed farm

Brazen dog dealers badly neglected a host of animals they were raising at their unlicensed Scottish puppy farm. Stephen and Hazel Hamilton failed to get the dogs urgent veterinary treatment and kept them in cramped conditions during the illegal breeding operation.

The animals - kept in industrial kennels in different buildings - were left with painful ear problems, chronic dental disease, dermatitis and broken nails.They also failed to take steps to make sure the needs of the dogs were met and did not provide them with what experts say is "a suitable environment".They failed to give the dogs adequate exercise and socialisation and failed to protect them from suffering.

The couple, who are originally from Ireland but moved to Scotland over 20 years ago, applied to East Ayrshire Council for a breeding licence in 2016.The bid to have legal industrial kennels at their property - New Intax farm, in Newmilns - was knocked back after a public outcry.

Police Scotland, the Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and the Scottish Government’s Veterinary Advisor on Animal Welfare were among the objectors.A petition containing 20,000 names of people opposing the bid was also submitted.