Animal welfare chiefs have blasted the “lenient” sentence handed to Perthshire puppy farm boss Daanyaal Chowdhury.
The Scottish SPCA said it was “extremely disappointed” the Manchester businessman was ordered to carry out just 90 hours of unpaid work after he admitted exposing dozens of animals to unnecessary suffering.
The charity was at the fore of a criminal investigation into the 30-year-old’s dog security business at a remote farm, near Glenalmond.
Around 60 cats and dogs – kept in appalling, squalid and dangerous conditions – were rescued from South Cairnies Farm Cottage in October 2020.
‘Extremely disappointed’ at Daanyaal Chowdhury sentencing
Last month, Chowdhury appeared at Perth Sheriff Court and admitted charges of animal neglect.
He was banned from keeping animals for five years.
Chowdhury was placed on supervision when he returned to the dock for sentencing on Thursday.
Sheriff Garry Sutherland said he had decided against imposing a custodial sentence, after hearing that Chowdhury had lost his livelihood with his company – K9 Cube – now bankrupt and owning creditors some £360,000.
The sentence has been slammed by Scottish SPCA inspector Katherine Aitchison.
She said: “We are extremely disappointed at this lenient sentencing, considering the appalling conditions these animals were kept in.
“The dogs and cats in his care clearly suffered and a harsher sentence should have been given.”
She added: “Chowdhury has undoubtedly shown that he was not able to provide his animals with the care they needed, and we would have hoped this to be reflected in a ban on owning or keeping animals.”
Dogs ‘desperate to get out’ at Perthshire puppy farm
The charity’s inspectors raided the farm alongside police after a local vet raised the alarm about one of Chowdhury’s German Shepherds.
They found young puppies and kittens living in extreme squalor, with no food or water.
Homemade kennels outside had no natural or artificial light, and most had no bedding or shelter from the elements.
Ms Aitchison said: “The dogs themselves appeared to be desperate to get out and had eaten through areas, exposing holes and gnawed wood.”
She said the vast majority of animals seized were female, and many were pregnant.
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