Nijamul Islam of Vardalu Pet Hotel in Elstree avoids jail term
A man who caused suffering to dozens of dogs has avoided a prison term on health grounds.
Nijamul Islam, 39, kept Rottweilers, German shepherds, malinois and American bulldogs in cramped, dirty conditions at Vardalu Pet Hotel in Elstree, Herts.
He was found guilty of 26 charges of causing unnecessary suffering and one count of failing to meet the welfare needs of 173 dogs and puppies.
Islam was given a two-year suspended prison term.
He was also told to carry out 250 hours of community work and banned from keeping animals for 10 years.
In mitigation, Islam claimed his arthritis would deteriorate if he was sent to prison.
Bedford magistrates heard Islam kept the dogs in cramped, dirty conditions, littered with faeces and urine or with inadequate bedding and access to fresh clean water.
Some animals were found to be in need of veterinary care when the RSPCA visited the premises in 2011.
The court heard Cambridgeshire Police took on a dog, known as Jax, for a trial period and the dog was found to be emaciated.