AN ILLEGAL dog breeder who claimed he was “disabled” to avoid prison was later caught fighting at a boxing competition.
Anton Boston, 31, who admitted cropping six animals’ ears, was spared jail time after saying he was “too ill” due to suffering with Crohn’s disease.
A judge had previously taken pity on Boston after he admitted illegally breeding dogs in 2020.
But the crook continued to trade the dogs and footage from an amateur boxing match cast doubt on his claims.
A video clip showed the dad-of-two getting into the ring with an opponent at a “Welsh Combat” fight.
Cardiff Crown Court heard that Boston’s health condition was “nothing short of exaggerated” .
Lee Reynolds, prosecuting, told the court the amateur boxer “looked very far from the disabled person he presents himself as” in the fight.
Boston’s neighbours initially raised the alarm and called cops due to the overpowering foul odour from his home.
And prosecutors alleged Boston had been keeping the pets in poor conditions with “faeces all over the floor”.
The stench was so vile that locals were concerned there may have been a dead body in the property.
Mr Reynolds told the court: “Dog faeces were all over the floor and there was a strong smell of urine.
Cardiff Crown Court heard Boston kept the animals in vile conditions, with no beds and “faeces all over the floor” as he mutilated the pups.
“The dogs had no choice but to stand or lay in it. There was no bedding. It was hard to stay in the area because the smell was so strong.
“It was described as chokingly putrid, and the officers found it hard to breathe.”
Defending Boston, Adrian Kayne, told the court his boxing match consisted of “very short” bouts with an opponent.
Mr Kayne said: “The amateur boxing event he participated in was to raise awareness of Crohn’s disease.
“It involved three rounds of very short, two-minute bouts.
“He has two children, who are three years old and two years old, and a third on the way.
“These are important formative years for young children. He is a devoted father.”
Boston was sentenced to 36 weeks in prison and banned from owning or keeping dogs for 15 years on Thursday.
Judge Eugene Egan told him: “These animals’ ears were cropped in order for you to sell them for a higher price.
“You were trading animals you had caused to suffer through an illegal procedure.”
