A SKIPTON man has been disqualified from dealing in dogs after 23 were found in 'disgusting' conditions at a pig farm in North Yorkshire.

James Featon, 50 of Roughaw Road, was due to stand trial at York Magistrates’ Court but on Thursday, on the first day of the expected two day trial, entered guilty pleas to three offences of causing unnecessary suffering to dogs.

RSPCA officers and North Yorkshire Police visited an old pig farm in North Duffield, near Selby, on October 7 last year where two adult dogs and 21 puppies were found living in pig pens.

RSPCA Inspector Alice Cooper, who led the investigation, said: “Some of the puppies were in very poor condition; thin and lethargic with swollen, distended abdomens. Three Jack Russell terrier puppies had collapsed.

“Police seized all of the dogs and we rushed them to the vets where a number of the pups were diagnosed with parvovirus - a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease."

She added: “They were all hospitalised and needed intensive veterinary treatment but, unfortunately, we lost four because they were so incredibly poorly.”

A total of 18 dogs - including spaniels, lurchers and cross-breeds - were rescued and were taken in by RSPCA centres while the investigation was ongoing.

Inspector Cooper added: “Our investigations established that Mr Featon was buying in dogs from Ireland and elsewhere in England, and then selling them on to the public.

“However, he was keeping the dogs in disgusting conditions and had categorically failed to provide veterinary care to those that had fallen ill.”

For admitting causing unnecessary suffering to three terrier type puppies, to a lurcher or Irish terrier type puppy, and to a second lurcher or Irish terrier type puppy,

Featon was fined £130, ordered to pay costs of £300 and a surcharge of £30.

He was also disqualified from dealing in dogs, which means although he can still own dogs as pets, he cannot be involved in commercial activity involving dogs.

Two adult pet lurchers were returned to Featon by the court.

After the hearing, PC Sarah Ward of North Yorkshire Police said: “I’m very pleased with the result and thankful that we found the puppies when we did, saving them from more suffering. They were kept in cold, damp conditions without their mums and most of them were very ill with a number needing urgent veterinary attention. Sadly, some did not make it.

“We urge members of the public to only ever buy puppies from reputable dog breeders or adopt a rescue dog from a known charity.”

The dogs - which have all been in RSPCA care during the investigation - can now be rehomed. They will be available after Christmas.

Insp Cooper added: “Unfortunately this sort of thing is something we see all too often at the RSPCA.

"Breeding and selling puppies is big business and with certain breeds selling for hundreds if not thousands of pounds there are a lot of people trying to cash in.

“Sadly, some sellers like Mr Featon will put profits ahead of the health and welfare of the dogs. This is completely unacceptable.

“We’d urge anyone thinking of getting a dog to consider rescuing from a charity such as the RSPCA. We have thousands of dogs in our centres this Christmas waiting for new homes.”

For more information about adopting an RSPCA rescue dog visit: rspca.org.uk/findapet.