Warning: this article discusses cruelty of animals which some readers may find distressing.
A man who ran a golden retriever attraction in Somerset has been banned from keeping dogs for 10 years after two died under his care.
Nicolas Grant St James, from Carhampton in Minehead, was in charge of the Golden Retriever Experience in Dunster, where visitors spent time with the dogs.
However, its license was revoked after an RSPCA inspection revealed that the standards of the sanctuary had diminished in May 2024.
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They received complaints that the dogs were being injured and dying in his care, and were fighting each other in the crowded conditions.
Police obtained a warrant after the charity issued a number of warnings to the Golden Retriever Experience.
A total of 40 dogs were then found split in the bedroom and kitchen, while a further two had died.
The 62-year-old - who showed 'no remorse or victim empathy' - plead guilty to the following four charges:
• Failing to provide accommodation of sufficient size for the number of dogs
• Failing to keep the accommodation clean
• Failing to provide a comfortable place for the dogs to rest
• Failing to provide continuously available fresh clean drinking water
A RSPCA vet examined the dogs and noted in their report that 'none of the dogs' needs under Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act were met.'
"The environment was inadequate in size and comfort; there was a lack of constant access to clean drinking water; dogs were not protected from pain, injury, suffering, and disease; and they were unable to exhibit normal behaviour or be separated when needed," it read.
The investigation revealed that one of the dogs suffered from injuries caused by fighting, while another dog had also died from his injuries after dog fights.
Other pets were left with serious injuries, including a dog who had his genitals severed during a fight.
"The dogs were kept in crowded conditions within a dirty home when not at the 'experience,'" a behaviourist said.
"Bedding was not provided and drinking water was restricted to prevent indoor urination. The group included unspayed females and unneutered males living in close contact
“The dogs in this case were not provided with adequate resting or sleeping places, ideally all dogs should be provided with options for resting places that provide appropriate comfort."
District Judge Brereton said Grant St James was more focused on his 'financial loss' than the welfare of the dogs, which was ‘woefully inadequate.’
Anish Vij