A dog petting tourist attraction boss has been banned from keeping them for 10 years after two of the animals died in his care.
Nicolas St James ran the Golden Retriever Experience, offering play and petting sessions with around 30 dogs to paying visitors.
But in May last year, the experience, which garnered millions of views on social media, had its licence revoked.
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Somerset Council acted following a police and RSPCA investigation.
The animal charity said the dogs were kept in unclean and overcrowded conditions, with little access to fresh water.
St James, 62, of Carhampton in Minehead, was handed an 18-week prison sentence, suspended for one year.
He was slapped with it at North Somerset Magistrates’ Court in Weston-super-Mare on Tuesday (15 July), as reported by Need To Know.
He was also ordered to pay £5,000 in costs, complete 200 hours of community service and attend 10 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days.
St James pleaded guilty on 19 June to four counts of failing to provide accommodation of sufficient size for the number of dogs.
Also failing to keep the accommodation clean, failing to provide a comfortable place for the dogs to rest and failing to provide continuously available fresh, clean drinking water.
He also admitted that these factors contributed to fights breaking out between the dogs.
A not guilty plea was entered in relation to other charges involving not providing an appropriate diet and pest control, not using appropriate training techniques, and failing to keep the dogs safe from injury or obtain prompt medical attention for them when required.
District Judge Angela Brereton told St James his attitude “bordered on arrogance” and no changes were made to the animals’ welfare despite four warnings.
She said St James was only worried about his financial losses.
Two dogs died at the attraction in Dunster, Somerset.
A total of 20 others were found in the bedroom, and a further 20 were found in the kitchen.
The surviving dogs have been fostered and re-homed.
The case was brought by the RSPCA after the animal welfare charity received complaints regarding the dogs’ care.
This included reports of dogs being injured and dying because of fights breaking out in overcrowded conditions.
Following initial visits by the RSPCA and a failure to meet requested improvements, as well as ongoing concerns for the safety of the dogs, a warrant was obtained by police, resulting in the removal of all the dogs from the property.
A vet who examined the dogs said in their report: “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.”
During the investigation, the body of a deceased dog was also exhumed, which showed he had suffered injuries caused by fighting before his death.
Another dog had also died from its injuries after a fight.
Others were left with serious injuries, including a dog who had his genitals were severed during a fight.
RSPCA Inspector Jo Daniel, who investigated for the animal welfare charity, had repeatedly advised St James that he needed to ensure the safety of the dogs.
Inspector Daniel also noted that some of the dogs had calluses on their elbows and their skin was hairless, thickened and discoloured.
A behaviourist, whose report was included as evidence to the court, also described the welfare concerns.
She said: “The dogs were kept in crowded conditions within a dirty home when not at the ‘experience’.
“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.”
Inspector Daniel said after the hearing that “these dogs were failed when it came to receiving the care they needed”.
She added: “Water, comfort and a safe living environment are basic needs that every owner has a duty to fulfil to ensure the needs of their animals are being met.”
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One of the Golden Retrievers under the care of Nicolas St. James has a disease. (Jam Press/RSPCA)
