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Internet tortoise trader banned Internet tortoise trader banned
(20 minutes later)
A man who admitted animal welfare charges involving 151 tortoises and other reptiles has been banned from owning and dealing in animals.A man who admitted animal welfare charges involving 151 tortoises and other reptiles has been banned from owning and dealing in animals.
Ian Crosby, 48, of Llantwit Major in the Vale of Glamorgan, sold the animals in an internet business from his home.Ian Crosby, 48, of Llantwit Major in the Vale of Glamorgan, sold the animals in an internet business from his home.
But several tortoises in Crosby's care had herpes which had spread among them, Barry magistrates were told.But several tortoises in Crosby's care had herpes which had spread among them, Barry magistrates were told.
The court heard 24 tortoises died within a month of being seized. The survivors are being cared for locally.The court heard 24 tortoises died within a month of being seized. The survivors are being cared for locally.
The animals, which also included five iguanas and a bearded dragon, were seized by Vale of Glamorgan inspectors in July 2008 after concerns were raised by vets.The animals, which also included five iguanas and a bearded dragon, were seized by Vale of Glamorgan inspectors in July 2008 after concerns were raised by vets.
Infected woundInfected wound
The surviving tortoises are being cared for by the International Tortoise Association in Sully near Penarth.The surviving tortoises are being cared for by the International Tortoise Association in Sully near Penarth.
Among the eight charges admitted by Crosby were that he failed to protect all the animals under his care from pain, injury, disease and suffering.Among the eight charges admitted by Crosby were that he failed to protect all the animals under his care from pain, injury, disease and suffering.
He also pleaded guilty to failing to provide a suitable environment for five iguanas and 151 tortoises.He also pleaded guilty to failing to provide a suitable environment for five iguanas and 151 tortoises.
In addition, he admitted failing to seek veterinary attention to treat an open infected wound on a bearded dragon, causing it to suffer.In addition, he admitted failing to seek veterinary attention to treat an open infected wound on a bearded dragon, causing it to suffer.
You consistently ignored veterinary advice and you paid little heed to the welfare of the animals Ann Campbell, chair of magistratesYou consistently ignored veterinary advice and you paid little heed to the welfare of the animals Ann Campbell, chair of magistrates
Crosby was sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for two years. He will also be supervised for two months and carry out 200 hours of community service.Crosby was sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for two years. He will also be supervised for two months and carry out 200 hours of community service.
Michael Morgan, defending, said that originally Crosby had been asked to answer a further seven more serious charges relating to animal suffering, which were dropped.Michael Morgan, defending, said that originally Crosby had been asked to answer a further seven more serious charges relating to animal suffering, which were dropped.
He said his client had been treating the open wound on the bearded dragon with disinfectant.He said his client had been treating the open wound on the bearded dragon with disinfectant.
"In the short term, Mr Crosby has accepted that there was suffering but this is at the lower level of cruelty," said Mr Morgan."In the short term, Mr Crosby has accepted that there was suffering but this is at the lower level of cruelty," said Mr Morgan.
Crosby also accepted the environment in which he kept the iguanas was not adequate, but this was only temporary before they were moved to his pet shop in Maesteg, Mr Morgan added.Crosby also accepted the environment in which he kept the iguanas was not adequate, but this was only temporary before they were moved to his pet shop in Maesteg, Mr Morgan added.
Mental breakdownMental breakdown
He also said Crosby had no idea some of the tortoises he had imported from Prague in the Czech Republic for his online business had herpes.He also said Crosby had no idea some of the tortoises he had imported from Prague in the Czech Republic for his online business had herpes.
"He did everything in his power to ensure their welfare," said Mr Morgan."He did everything in his power to ensure their welfare," said Mr Morgan.
The vet who attended the Vale of Glamorgan Council's inspection on 4 July 2008 also said the lighting and bedding were insufficient in the tortoise pens, the court heard.The vet who attended the Vale of Glamorgan Council's inspection on 4 July 2008 also said the lighting and bedding were insufficient in the tortoise pens, the court heard.
But Mr Morgan argued it had also been reported by the vet that the pens were clean.But Mr Morgan argued it had also been reported by the vet that the pens were clean.
Lee Reynolds, prosecuting, said the allegation was that by failing to provide a suitable environment for the tortoises, the virus had spread.Lee Reynolds, prosecuting, said the allegation was that by failing to provide a suitable environment for the tortoises, the virus had spread.
He also said the tortoises were at risk of severe burns in the environment they were kept in.He also said the tortoises were at risk of severe burns in the environment they were kept in.
Mr Morgan said that after the inspection and subsequent seizure of £15,000 of stock, Crosby had lost his six-year-old business and had one of his homes repossessed.Mr Morgan said that after the inspection and subsequent seizure of £15,000 of stock, Crosby had lost his six-year-old business and had one of his homes repossessed.
He was also facing imminent bankruptcy. A repossession order on his current residence was also hanging over him and the proceedings had led to his 15-year-old son becoming estranged from him.He was also facing imminent bankruptcy. A repossession order on his current residence was also hanging over him and the proceedings had led to his 15-year-old son becoming estranged from him.
Mr Morgan added that Crosby had also suffered a mental breakdown, which was still being treated.Mr Morgan added that Crosby had also suffered a mental breakdown, which was still being treated.
Magistrate chair Ann Campbell told Crosby: "You consistently ignored veterinary advice and you paid little heed to the welfare of the animals." Magistrates chair Ann Campbell told Crosby: "You consistently ignored veterinary advice and you paid little heed to the welfare of the animals."