Two brothers have been handed a heavy fine and a suspended prison sentence for running a puppy farm and cock fighting ring.

John Cook, 26, and William Cook, 30, pleaded guilty to a number of animal welfare offences when they appeared at Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court last month.

RSPCA officers executed a warrant at their property in July 2018 after a member of the public who had bought puppies from the family raised concerns.

In total, 18 dogs, including spaniels and beagles were removed along with two cockerels.

Officers also seized a number of mobile phones from the site and a suspecting cockfighting pit was uncovered. Analysis of the mobiles showed the brothers were involved with fighting and later forensics tests found the blood of at least four cockerels on the pit.

During the four-day trial the court heard how John Cook, of Longfield Avenue, Longfield, was accused of causing suffering to a number of dogs,failing to provide them with vet care for stomach and teeth problems and keeping them in unsuitable conditions.

William Cook, of the same address, was accused of a number of offences relating to cockerel fighting.

John Cook pleaded guilty to the offences, while William was convicted of the offences under the Animal Welfare Act. Both appeared at Medway Magistrates' Court on Tuesday to be sentenced.

William Cook was given a 120-day prison term - suspended for two years - and ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work. He was also disqualified from keep any animals for three years.

John Cook was sentenced to 90 days in prison - also suspended for two years - and told to complete 160 hours of unpaid work. He was disqualified from keeping dogs for three years.

Both men were ordered to pay £1,000 in costs plus a £115 victim surcharge.

In mitigation, the court gave John Cook credit for his guilty pleas and heard that William Cook was remorseful.

RSPCA inspector Carroll Lamport, from the charity's special operations unit, said: "Many of the dogs being kept at the site had health and welfare problems, including untreated gastrointestinal and dental issues.

“We also had serious concerns over the conditions they were being kept in. The dogs and puppies were being kept in dirty, wet conditions with no bedding.”

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