Two men that were caught running an unlicensed animal fertility clinic from a shed have been fined and banned from owning dogs.
Alexander Myers operated a dog breeding and fertility service at Paul Robertson’s Gorebridge home, near Edinburgh, without a breeder’s licence or having the property registered as a veterinary facility.
At Edinburgh Sheriff Court, it was revealed that Myers carried out various procedures on dogs, including artificial insemination, blood tests for ovulation monitoring, and microchipping.
Concerns about the dogs’ welfare were initially raised by Police Scotland, who, while attending the property for an unrelated issue, informed the Scottish SPCA of the conditions observed.
Upon their visit, a Scottish SPCA inspector noted a strong smell of faeces and urine emanating from the ‘dark, poorly ventilated’ kennels and shed areas, which were described as being ‘coated in faeces’.
The inspector reported finding 32 dogs on the premises, with three living as pets inside the house, while the others were kept in unsanitary kennel conditions.
Subsequent examinations found that several dogs were experiencing ocular, skin, musculoskeletal, and respiratory issues due to the inadequate care they received.
In one particularly shocking case, a female French Bulldog named Miss Piggy was found collapsed, shivering and with fresh wounds to her ears and face.
Alexander Myers (pictured) undertook a number of procedures on dogs including artificial insemination and microchipping. Paul Robertson was fined £270, while Myers received 180 hours community payback, a £90 fine, and a three-year ban on owning dogs
She was also found to have been suffering from an untreated ingrown toenail.
Despite urgent efforts, her condition was tragically too severe and she was later euthanised in a bid to ‘prevent further suffering’.
Paul Robertson was also understood to have been behind an intensive breeding programme that led to ‘Frankenstein’ hairless French bulldog puppies being sold, which was severely criticised by vets, the Daily Record revealed.
A further five dogs also had to be euthansised due to their poor health.
On September 16, the pair appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court where they pleaded guilty for the neglect of for Miss Piggy, which resulted in her suffering for at least four weeks before her death.
Both men pled not guilty to charges relating to the other dogs.
No convictions were made, with Robertson fined £270, while Myers received 180 hours community payback, a £90 fine, and a three-year ban on owning dogs.
The SSPCA said: ‘We respect the court’s decision but are disappointed the sentencing was not stronger.
‘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.
‘Robertson and Myers have failed to ensure the welfare of the many dogs in their care.’
The SSPCA added that they are ‘increasingly seeing people operating fertility clinics from their homes’, adding that these ‘completely unregulated’ clinics ‘pose serious risks to animal welfare’.
They continued: ‘In some cases, animals are seriously injured after having blood drawn by unqualified individuals.’
Now, the charity is calling for fertility clinics to be formally regulated, with inspections carried out only by registered veterinary surgeons.
A spokesperson added: ‘We continue to advocate for a complete overhaul of the outdated Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, which no longer provides adequate safeguards for animal welfare.
‘We also urge anyone considering breeding their pets to consult their vet first, and to report any concerns about fertility clinics directly to our helpline.’
