PUPPY FARM BROTHERS SENT TO JAIL

cruel pair targeted cots towns using holiday lets to fake family homes image

- MARK McGIVERN

A PUPPY farm victim has said two cruel brothers deserve every minute of the nine-month jail sentences they were facing last night.

Sophie Jones Gerrard, 28, was one of many Scots to suffer huge trauma after buying dogs from the Mongan brothers, who’d shipped over tiny pups who were ill and dying from Ireland.

Tom and William Mongan used Airbnb lets to give the appearance of family homes but the pups they sold online came from puppy farms, where filthy conditions led to killer diseases such as giardia and parvovirus.

The brothers, of Belfast, told a stream of lies as they targeted Scots towns and sources believe they raked in tens of thousands of pounds within days.

Their enterprise came to an abrupt end at Glasgow Sheriff Court, when they each received jail sentences and a 10-year ban on keeping animals.

Sophie, from Kilwinning, Ayrshire, said: “They deserve far longer but I’m glad the sheriff recognized the severity of the suffering these people caused.

“They made a lot of money but it’s obvious a lot of defenseless dogs suffered and died. Part of me is relieved because crimes against animals can sometimes get very lenient treatment.

“I hope they use their time in jail to consider all the harm they caused. I also hope the sentence acts as a deterrent to others.”