A MAN has been jailed and fined more than £11,000 for mutilating two puppies and illegally breeding dogs over a three-year period.

Christopher Mae, 32, of Kewstoke Avenue in Cardiff, was jailed for a total of 16 weeks at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court.

He faced two charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, one charge of landing an animal in Great Britain, and one charge of breeding dogs without obtaining a licence from Cardiff City Council.

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Between August 20 and December 17 last year, Mae was found to have mutilated the ears of two puppies – named Snowball and Raisin.

The procedure is banned under the Animal Welfare Act (2006) for causing unnecessary suffering.

Mae was also found to have cropped the ears of the puppies – between the same dates – which is also banned under the act.

He initially pleaded not guilty to both charges in June, but then switched to a guilty plea.

He was jailed for 12 weeks, and ordered to pay costs of £9,775.

He was also ordered to pay a £120 surcharge to fund victim services.

For the second count of causing unnecessary suffering – for cropping the puppies' ears – he was handed a 12 week sentence, to run concurrently with the first.

The charge of breeding dogs without obtaining a licence dated from December 17, 2017 to December 17 last year.

He pleaded guilty, and was fined £1,200 and jailed for four weeks – to run consecutively with his other sentences.

Mae was also found to have illegally imported a dog – George – from outside Britain.

The offence dated to on or before December 17, 2020.

He originally pleaded not guilty in June, but then changed his plea to guilty and was sentenced to four weeks in prison – to run concurrently with his other sentences.

The magistrate described Mae’s actions as “very serious offending over a prolonged period of time.”

“I don't believe you cared for these animals in any way,” said the magistrate.

“You knew exactly what you were doing in order to maximise profit.

“Only immediate custody is appropriate as punishment.” 

Mae was jailed on July 22 for a total of 16 weeks and ordered to pay £11,095.

An order was also made to prevent him from owning, keeping, or dealing in animals for eight years.