Man Ran 'Unregulated' Breeding Operation Out of Friend's Home — Now He's Banned From Owning Dogs By Christine Pelisek

Two men have been fined after authorities in Scotland discovered an illegal dog breeding operation and fertility clinic at one of the men’s homes.

According to a Thursday, Sept. 18 press release from the Scottish SPCA, Alexander Myers ran the operation out of Paul Robertson’s Gorebridge home “despite holding no breeder’s license and not being registered as a veterinary practice.”

The Scottish SPCA alleged a shed on the property was used as a makeshift canine fertility center, where procedures such as artificial insemination, drawing blood and microchipping were performed by “an unqualified individual.”

The case came to light after Police Scotland alerted the Scottish SPCA, per the release.

“There was an overwhelming stench of feces and urine coming from the kennels and shed area,” a Scottish SPCA investigator said, adding that the sheds were “dark, poorly ventilated and coated in feces.”

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In total, 32 dogs were found on the premises.

“Three were living in the house as pets, while the remainder were kept in unsanitary kennels,” the inspector said, per the release.

The dogs were suffering from multiple ailments including ocular, dermatological and musculoskeletal diseases and respiratory disorders.

According to the Scottish SPCA, one of the dogs, a French Bulldog named Miss Piggy, was found “collapsed, shivering, and with fresh wounds to her ears and face. She also had an untreated ingrown toenail embedded into her paw.”

She had to be euthanized along with five other dogs, the release said.

Per the Daily Record, both Myers and Robertson pleaded guilty at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Sept. 16 to the neglect of Miss Piggy.

They pleaded not guilty to charges relating to the other dogs.

“No convictions were made,” the Scottish SPCA said in the press release, noting that Robertson was fined £270, while Myers received 180 hours of community service, a £90 fine and was banned from owning dogs for three years. 

“We respect the court’s decision but are disappointed the sentencing was not stronger,” the release states. “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.”