Two brothers who caused “pain and suffering” to a pack of puppies have been jailed for nine months.

Tom Mongan, 28, and William Mongan, 40, ran a puppy farm business out of Glasgow.

Police Scotland and the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) raided a flat in the city in January 2021 – during the COVID “puppy boom” – after receiving intelligence the Mongans were travelling from Northern Ireland to Scotland to sell dogs as part of the low-welfare puppy trade.

The Scottish SPCA said eight pups were discovered and were found to be living in unsanitary conditions and in poor health.

A spaniel-type puppy, wrapped up in a pink dressing gown, was said to be visually lethargic. It was found with a distended abdomen and was unable to lift its head.

Two Staffordshire bull terrier-type puppies also had swollen abdomens and appeared to be in poor condition.

Of the eight puppies found, four later died of parvovirus – a highly contagious disease that can be fatal to dogs.

“On the floor of both the bedroom and living room area was a puddle of clear, yellow fluid which had the appearance of watery diarrhoea or vomit. The fluid contained worms,” said Lesley Boyce, acting chief inspector with the SSPCA.

“Tom Mongan stated that the pups had not received veterinary treatment.”

The puppies were seized and taken for immediate veterinary care.

Ms Boyce added: “Tom Mongan admitted to being the owner of the pups and stated that he had bred the pups in Northern Ireland.

“He said there were too many to keep so he brought them to Scotland for rehoming.

“He then agreed to relinquish ownership of all pups into our care.”

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The brothers, from Belfast, pleaded guilty to five charges between them, admitting that they caused unnecessary suffering to the puppies by failing to provide veterinary treatment for parvovirus.

The pair were both jailed for nine months at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Monday.

They have also been banned from owning and transporting animals, as well as anything related to dealing in animals for 10 years.

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Ms Boyce added: “We welcome the sentence the Mongans have received.

“The pain and suffering those puppies endured while in their care is unthinkable.

“We hope no other animal will be caused any suffering by them.”

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