Rochdale man banned from keeping animals for five years after keeping 27 dogs in cages inside metal shed

Date published: 26 November 2019

A man who kept 27 dogs in stacked cages in poor conditions in a metal shed in his garden has been banned from keeping animals for five years.

Gusztav Petrovics, 21, of Rochdale, was found guilty in his absence of two animal welfare offences. 

He handed himself in after a warrant was issued for his arrest and was sentenced at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Monday (18 November). As well as the animal ban, he was also given a 12-month community order.  

The court heard the RSPCA was called to the address on January 24 following a report over concerns for a large number of dogs at the property.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/131386/operation-rescues-101-dogs-from-suspected-illegal-breeders

RSPCA inspector Danni Jennnings was sent to the scene where she met with officers from Greater Manchester Police.

Gusztav Petrovics, who lived at the house, admitted he owned a number of dogs and allowed Inspector Jennings to see them. 

She was taken to a closed metal shed in the back garden and inside she was shown seven dog crates piled on top of each other containing numerous dogs and puppies.

In total there were 10 female adult dogs, one male and 15 puppies from three litters - all were Dachshunds and there was one female terrier-cross. All were sharing the cages, with two to three dogs in each. 

There was no food or water inside the crates and they were all lined with carpet which was sodden in urine and faeces. 

An expert vet who attended the scene confirmed that he thought the needs of the dogs were not being met and they were seized by the police.

Inspector Jennnings said: “The smell from the shed was apparent as soon as we were in the back garden. These dogs were kept in cramped conditions in cages which were stacked on top of each other.

“They were lying in their own faeces and urine - and the smell from the shed was evident as soon as we went onto the back garden. There was also no water or food in the cages for the dogs. The conditions were absolutely appalling. 

“The puppies were immediately signed over into RSPCA care and have been rehomed. Following the conclusion of the case the RSPCA has taken the adult dogs into our care and they too will be rehomed.”

One of the puppies which was examined by a vet was found to be  underweight and dehydrated with no access to food or water. He said in a statement that this dog would have died within 24 hours if intervention had not been taken and said that failing to seek veterinary attention had caused the puppy unnecessary suffering.

Petrovics said during his interview he had imported the dogs from Hungary, where he is from, and was planning on giving the puppies to friends.

Magistrates hearing the case said keeping dogs in such a confined space was “totally unacceptable.”

He was also ordered to pay £1,000 costs and an £85 victim surcharge. 

RSPCA discover 27 dogs kept in a Rochdale shed