A MAN has been jailed after being convicted of multiple animal cruelty offences which saw eight dogs seized by police.

Justin Dyer, 43, of Talbot Road, Sudbury, has sentenced to 26 weeks in jail at Ipswich Magistrates Court on November 5.

Dyer was also given an additional six-month jail sentence after breaching a suspended sentence for possession of a machete following an offence last year.

The six-month sentence will run consecutively and will equate to a year in custody.

It comes after Dyer was convicted on October 26 after failing to turn up to court for seven animal welfare act offences relating to neglect and cruelty and one offence of breeding and selling dogs without a licence.

Halstead Gazette:

Dyer was arrested on warrant in London on November 4 and was presented to Ipswich Magistrates Court the next day.

Dyer was also given a 15-year ban on owning, keeping, or having anything to do with looking after animals and was also ordered to pay around £6,200 in costs and compensation.

The investigation was led by Sgt Brian Calver from the Rural and Wildlife team and supported by local Sudbury police officers and aided by vets, the RSPCA, and an environmental health officer from Babergh District Council.

The discovery was made on February 10 this year. Officers discovered the animals were being kept in squalid conditions and eight dogs were seized, including two puppies.

The breeds of dogs were American Bulldog crossbreeds and Shar Pei.

Dyer was arrested the same day on February 10 and later charged with the offences.

Sgt Brian Calver said: “This was a particularly unpleasant case, where a number of dogs were kept in the most appalling conditions, purely for selfish financial gain, with no consideration for their welfare.

“Dyer has shown no remorse and I hope he reflects upon the harm he’s caused whilst he serves his term of imprisonment.

“I sincerely hope this sends a strong message to others that think it’s acceptable to profit from dogs with no consideration for their welfare, or those that fail to look after their pets properly.”

Elisabeth Malvisi, environment boss at Babergh District Council, said: “This conviction is clearly a great result.

“It shows the vital importance of ensuring that businesses are licenced and maintain satisfactory standards, and it also sends a clear message that breaches will not be tolerated.

“We will not hesitate to act - working with other agencies as appropriate - when animals involved in any business are at risk."