Couple illegally docked tails of rottweiler puppies

A couple from Walsall illegally docked the tails of puppies ahead of trying to sell them for hundreds of pounds, a court heard.

Elastic bands were tightened around the tails of the recently-born seven rottweilers to stop the blood flow until they fell off.

An RSPCA inspector was called to the home of Joanna Dukes and Richard Devey amid reports the tails of puppies had been docked in April this year.

A hearing at Walsall Magistrates Court was told the dogs had been advertised for sale with a price tag of around £200 each.

Dukes, aged 43, of Friezland Lane, Brownhills, admitted a charge of removing the whole or part of a dog tail at Walsall Magistrates Court yesterday. Devey, 30, pleaded guilty to two offences of allowing and permitting tail docking to be carried out.

Roger Price, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said the adult rottweiler Zena had given birth to the puppies.

An elastic band was wrapped around the tail of each young dog, fixed tightly to ensure the blood supply stopped. He said Dukes had carried out the act while Devey was at work, but he was aware of what was happening and didn't do anything to prevent it.

In interview, Dukes said she did not know it was illegal to carry out such a practice of tail docking, while Devey said he had not seen a rottweiler with a tail.

Mr Price told the court: "This was not a large-scale commercial venture but there was a commercial side to it."

He said the aggravating features were the commercial element, the number of animals involved and it having been a deliberate act. An application for a deprivation order was also put forward by the RSPCA.

The docking of tails is only allowed on working dogs and must be carried out by a vet within five days of birth.

It has has been known to be done illegally in other cases for cosmetic purposes.

The court was told there was no evidence of a vet having been involved.

No representations were made on behalf of the defendants.

The pair will return to court for sentencing on August 24.