A PAIR of animal traffickers have pleaded guilty to illegally importing and selling sick puppies from their Prestwich home.

Laura Kiseliova, aged 36, and Raimondas Titas, aged 35, appeared at Manchester Crown Court this week for the start of a three-week trial.

But, on Thursday, June 2, the pair pleaded guilty to a total of 10 offences each, relating to hundreds of cats and dogs.

They include fraud and failing to protect animals from suffering.

The RSPCA launched an investigation into the pair who were trafficking dogs into England from eastern Europe and selling them to unsuspecting members of the public.

The court heard 41 dogs and eight cats were found in a raid at the pair's former home in Green Hill, Prestwich. They are due to be sentenced in July.

Bury Times:

RSPCA chief inspector Ian Briggs said: “When we attended the property in Prestwich on 18 November 2013 we found 41 dogs and puppies and eight cats in a variety of cages, crates and runs.

“It was obvious that this duo were dealing and trading in a large number of animals and that many of them were not receiving the appropriate care and veterinary attention they needed.

“Some of the animals were suffering from problems such as conjunctivitis, gastroenteritis or had sore and infected wounds.

“During our investigation, most of the animals were signed over into RSPCA care and later rehomed.”

Bury Times:

The pair pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering and making false insurance claims relating to a dog that died. Dogs were also not given veterinary treatment for infections and injuries.

They were prosecuted after a joint investigation involving Bury Council and Salford City Council and the RSPCA.

Bury Times:

The pair pleaded guilty to offences under the Fraud Act, Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, the Companies Act 2006 and the Animal Welfare Act.

During a raid at the Prestwich house in November 2013, RSPCA inspectors found animals including French bulldogs, bulldogs and pugs as well as pedigree cats.