Puppy farmers admit 'unspeakable' cruelty to dogs that later died

Brothers Tom and William Mongan admitted a string of charges at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Monday.

Puppy farmers Tom and William Mongan admit ‘unspeakable’ cruelty to dogs that later died iStock

Two puppy farmers have admitted “unspeakable” cruelty towards a number of dogs who later died.

Tom Mongan, 28, was responsible for three dogs at rented properties in Glasgow’s Shawlands and Tollcross.

Court papers state that Tom did not vaccinate Bella and Albi who have since passed away.

The charge says that the dogs were not kept in a clean condition and suitable environment.

Bella and Albi were exposed to suffering injury and disease.

The pair were found to have worm burden, underweight body condition, parasitic infestation, haemorrhagic diarrhoea and parvovirus symptoms.

A third dog named Freya was stated to have the same issues as well as poor coat and body condition.

Feya also passed away as a result of her health conditions.

Tom’s brother William Mongan, 39, pled guilty to two charges of causing “a number of dogs unnecessary suffering” at a properties in the city’s Giffnock and Ibrox.

The charge says William’s dogs suffered from worm burden, poor coat and body condition, parasitic infestation, hemorrhagic diarrhoea and parvovirus.

Several dogs under William’s responsibility also died.

Tom pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to three charges while William admitted two.

The charges span between December 2020 and February 2021.

Brigid Mongan, 40, and Ellie Mongan, 30, had their not guilty pleas accepted by the Crown.

The court heard that the number of dogs involved is possibly into double figures.

Sheriff Mark McGuire asked Atlanta Jack, defending Tom, why the Belfast-based brothers were in Glasgow.

She replied: “The narrative is still to be agreed but it was AirBnB properties which are on the charges. They live in Ireland.”

Sentence was deferred pending background reports until November where more information surrounding the circumstances will be heard.

Sheriff McGuire told the pair: “You both have pled guilty to multiple offences involving what understandably would be described as cruelty to animals.

“In terms of the charges before me, what cruelty there was appears almost unspeakable.

“Without hearing a narration, the charges alone speak volumes.

“The cruelty to so many animals over a period of time is something I take very seriously.”

STV News is now on WhatsApp

Get all the latest news from around the country

Follow STV News
Follow STV News on WhatsApp

Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country

WhatsApp channel QR Code