Overview

• Alexander Johnson was sentenced to 12 months in prison and given a lifetime ban on keeping animals for carrying out illegal ear-cropping.
• Holly Dunn and Amanda Whitehouse received suspended prison terms with unpaid work requirements and long disqualifications from owning animals.
• Prosecutors said the procedures were done to make dogs appear more fearsome and boost their sale value, with no welfare benefit.
• Aaron Lee Wareham, described in court as the ringleader behind brands Balaclava Bullies and High Grade Bullz, died before entering a plea.
• Co-defendants Charlotte Bailey and Thomas Taffe have pleaded guilty to multiple animal cruelty offences and are due to be sentenced on 4 September.