THE RSPCA has taken aim at the crooks who prioritsied financial gain over the wellbeing of the puppies they sold.

An RSPCA investigation found the group had sold 500 puppies, most of which had been sick, illegally to unsuspecting buyers in Billericay, Grays and Thurrock over a three-year period.

One of the gang, Stacey Hayward, 41, had previously been a legitimate breeder, but had her licence revoked by Basildon Council in 2018 after complaints about the dogs falling ill not long after sale. Her licence to breed dogs also expired in 2018. 

However, she continued to sell and breed dogs, with adverts regularly posted online and old licence documents presented to buyers.

The RSPCA soon linked Hayward and Steven Foster, 42, both of Colliford Road, West Thurrock, to another address in Weymouth Drive, Chafford Hundred, where Kelly Bennet, 44, and Ricky Bennett, 42, lived.

Inspector Vikki Dawe, from the RSPCA’s SOU team, said: "The heartbreaking reality of puppy farming is that the welfare of the puppies comes second to making money.

"The sums of money involved are just eye-watering; and it's another reminder of how unscrupulous this trade can be; and how dangerous poor breeding and trading practices are for dogs, pups and unsuspecting consumers.

"For anyone looking to buy a puppy, rather than adopt - we urge them to do their research, know the signs of an unscrupulous breeder.”

There was one happy ending for one of the puppies.

Wilf was just 10-weeks-old when he was rescued and went into RSPCA care. When he was 13-weeks-old he went to live an RSPCA fosterer in West Sussex.

“Wilf was scared of all noises and he had no doggy etiquette and didn’t know how to play nicely with other dogs,” the foster carer said.

“Despite his early challenges, he became available for rehoming on my birthday and so it was obvious that he’d be staying!

“He’s overcome his fears and is now a wonderful, cheeky chap. He loves his cuddly toys and is always carrying one around the house, and he loves to go for long walks in the countryside.”

Stacey Hayward, 41, of Colliford Road, West Thurrock, was sentenced to 47 months in jail.

Kelly Bennet, 44, of Weymouth Drive, Chafford Hundred, who the judge said had a “leading role”, was sentenced to 49 months’ imprisonment.

Ricky Bennett, 42, Weymouth Drive, Chafford Hundred, was jailed for 17 months for puppy farm related charges.

He was also given a sentence of 19 months – to be served consecutively – for assault charges, taking his total sentence to 36 months.

Steven Foster’s sentencing was adjourned to Thursday, November 10.