Ex-Aylesbury couple sentenced for abusing dogs and puppies

A former couple who were convicted of abusing animals which resulted in the deaths of several newborn puppies have been sentenced.

Hammad Javaid, and his ex-partner, Louise Lane, initially attended Amersham Crown Court on September 7 to have their punishments confirmed, but this was rescheduled to September 11 due to the amount of evidence that was provided.

Javaid and Lane were together for several years before they split in 2021, not long after they were taken in by the police

During both hearings, the court learnt that Javaid and Lane kept 24 bulldogs in a property on Bateman Drive, Aylesbury, between February and September 2021.

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In that period, the animals were subjected to staying in ‘disgusting and unliveable conditions’ as faeces, urine and maggots were infested within the property.

Some puppies, which were days old, died from infections after having their tails docked by Javaid.

The pups were separated from their mother, with video evidence showing some dogs were left to roam the house without efficient food or water, whilst others were kept in cages.

The puppies that survived were sold for roughly £5,000 each through various online platforms, despite Javaid being warned by Buckinghamshire Council that he needed a licence to sell the dogs.

He initially agreed to apply for the necessary paperwork but failed to do so, which led to Lane posting adverts on Javaid’s behalf.

Neither of the two lived in the house which was labelled as 'unliveable', but would frequently visit the property where they would ‘kick dogs’ and ‘hit them with a broom.’

This was to stop the animals from fighting, and it wasn’t until an intervention from neighbours who heard distressing barks, yaps, howls and growls over several weeks between March and August 2021 that the authorities were called.

They were sentenced at Amersham Law Courts which is near the town's police station

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Right Honourable Judge Payne, who scolded the two as they sat side-by-side behind a glass box next to a security guard, said: “The conditions those dogs lived in were filthy and appalling.

“Some had dirty bedding, there was blood on the floor, and when the council conducted an inspection, they described the smell in the kitchen as ‘overpowering’ due to the ammonia.  

“One of the dogs was locked in a cage with no food and nothing to do.

“What made this worse was the amount of time it went on for.

"You both showed no care to helping those poor dogs when they needed it the most.”

It was then revealed that several bitches being used to breed puppies engaged in fights with one another due to the lack of food and exercise.

This resulted in one bulldog, Masie, dying from her injuries.

She was later discarded via a black bin bag by Javaid which led to a maggot infestation.

Another bulldog, Fudge, who was Lane’s dog, suffered a significant bite mark on her leg.

However, the mother of three ‘went to the pub’ to socialise with peers despite knowing her pet was in pain.

An additional bulldog named Paris was believed to have died before surviving despite suffering numerous injuries. 

It was also discovered that text messages between the ex-couple revealed Lane sent an image to Javaid of her holding £48,000 in cash which directly came from the sale of puppies.

The house where the crimes took place six years before it was purchased by the Javaid family 

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The majority of that would be spent on a Range Rover that she used to visit the Bateman Drive property.

She later explained to the court that she has ‘no savings and lives day-by-day’ following her apprehension.

To sentencing, Javaid was jailed for 20 months for breaching sections four, six, nine and 13 of the Animal Welfare Act of 2006.

This included causing unnecessary suffering, the docking of tails, failing the responsibility of animal welfare and selling animals without a licence.

He will be released after 10 months on licence and has been banned from owning dogs indefinitely.

Lane received a term of six months, suspended for 12, and has been made to pay £500 in costs.

She must also attend 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days and complete 100 hours of community service.

The judge claimed that she would have '100 per cent been sent to prison' if it wasn’t for the fact that she was the mother to three young children - one being born in June this year.

She too had been banned from owning dogs, but this could be lifted if one of her autistic children needs a support animal.

Several puppies were killed during the illegal operation (Pixabay/Stock photo) (Image: Pixabay (Stock photo))

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Lane and Javaid have two children together, aged seven and five, but split up not long after their arrests in the autumn of 2021.

The disgraced mother has since given birth to her third child with her new partner, whilst Javaid is expected to become a father for a third time by April next year.

His pregnant partner of his soon-to-be child was spotted smoking a cigarette before and after the verdict.

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Mark Winn, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing & Regulatory Services said: “It is important that we take action against cruel and unscrupulous individuals who operate illegally, with no regard for the law or the welfare of the animals they are making money from.

“This case has been a great example of how officers from this council can work closely with officers from neighbouring authorities and agencies such as the RSPCA to achieve a positive outcome.”