A MAN popped out to the shop while someone he met at a pub cut the tails off four puppies at his home in Keighley, a court heard today.

Geoffrey Hoyle, 62, of Redcliffe Street, pleaded guilty at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates' Court to allowing another person to remove a dog's tail in November last year.

The court heard that removing a dog's tail, unless they were working dogs, became illegal under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Prosecutor Nigel Monaghan, on behalf of the RSPCA, said one of the puppies had to be put down, and said of the surgery: "They were very clean cuts, such as a knife or scissors cutting across the tail."

He added that Hoyle would not reveal who had cut the tails off, and that he knew what was happening when he left the person in his house.

Keith Blackwell, defending, said: "His adult bitch dog had these puppies and he met someone in a pub and got chatting about Jack Russells. This person said he should have their tails docked because he would not be able to get homes for them.

"This person come to the house and invited himself to perform the surgery. Mr Hoyle went to the shop and when he came back the surgery had been performed by the person concerned.

"This surgery was done clinically, cleanly and the wounds were appropriate."

Mr Blackwell said the remaining puppies and their mother had been rehomed.

Magistrates allowed Hoyle, who had no previous convictions, to keep an ailing 17-year-old dog that he had and fined him £110. He was also ordered to pay a £20 surcharge and £120 costs.