'Cruel woman' jailed for cutting off puppy tails

A Brighton woman who cut the tails off eight rottweiler puppies with a pair of scissors has been sentenced to two months in prison.

Gillian Breden, 51, from Grove Hill, Brighton, was sentenced at Brighton Magistrates Court and was banned from owning any animal for 10 years.

Breden had pleaded guilty to eight charges of removing the dogs’ tails with no genuine medical reason at a previous court hearing.

The case, believed to be the first of its kind in England, was brought by Brighton & Hove City Council’s animal welfare service.

Officers found the one month old puppies at Breden’s home in June. When questioned, Breden admitted that she had docked the tails herself with a pair of scissors.

Breden had told the court that the people buying the puppies has all said they wanted the tails docking and that she didn't think she was doing anything wrong.

Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, tail docking is illegal unless carried out by a vet for medical reasons, or to a certified working dog.

Each case carries a maximum sentence of up to six months in prison or a £20,000 fine. In addition, magistrates have the power to disqualify the defendant from keeping dogs and remove any animals still in her care.

Brighton & Hove City Council's animal welfare officer Maggi Hollands said: "This was a deliberate act of cruelty and we are very pleased that the magistrates have shown such clear support.

"This is a good step forward for the animal welfare team and gets the message across that this behaviour will not be tolerated. Ignorance is no excuse."

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