Dog dealer came to Scotland from Northern Ireland and sold sick pups from back of van

A dog dealer sold sick pups from the back of his van in a get rich quick scheme after coming to Scotland from Northern Ireland.

Sean McDonagh lived in his transit van for two months while selling ill golden retriever and Labrador puppies to unsuspecting buyers he targeted online.

A court heard one dog vomited and passed blood and foamed at the mouth after being sold by McDonagh.

One was "lifeless and lethargic" when he was selling it, with him claiming it was tired.

And another was so cold when he sold it that it shivered for some time while with it's new owner, only stop

ping when it had been given a blanket.

The 25-year-old targeted victims with ads on Gumtree, giving them addresses he did not live at.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard when buyers turned up to purchase the dogs, he would meet them on foot with a pup in his hands.

The pups were unvaccinated and one of the dogs was so ill it had to be put down.

The court heard one dog was sold for £650 while another was sold for £750.

Within days of being sold, the dog bought for £750 had to be taken for treatment, with a vet saying it would cost £8,000 to treat it properly.

With the animal's new owner unable too afford the treatment, the animal was put down.

The police were contained last September after McDonagh had been spotted selling puppies from the back of a blue Ford Transit van.

When officers arrived, they found three puppies within and saw that he had been living in the van.

The court heard there was no water for the animals and there was "insufficient bedding".

Sheriff Clare Arias said: "I was thinking of custody due to the seriousness of this.

"I think a very heavy fine would hurt more than a 100-hour [unpaid work] order.

"You pleaded guilty to a number of charges - six in total in respect of your animal welfare offences.

"This was an organised business and was all about making money, to the detriment of these animals.

"One of the animals died as a result of your actions, of the lack of actions of you.

"These were the actions of a conman, selling sick, poorly cared for puppies to members of the public, who were paying hundreds of pounds for sick dogs, one of which had to be put down.

"This was cynical and cruel and entirely motivated by greed. 

"You have convictions in Northern Ireland for receiving stolen goods and attempted fraud.

"I have seriously considered custody in relation to this but your agent has persuaded me there is an alternative."

She fined the 25-year-old, of Omagh, £4,800, reduce from £7,200 as he admitted his guilt and avoided the need for a trial.

She also ordered him to pay a £175 victim surcharge, and her will pay the fine back at £200-per-month.

Mobile phones and the £2,150 in cash he had on him when arrested were seized by officers and forfeited.

He was also banned from owning, keeping or working with animals for a period of six years.