Newport dog breeder mutilated puppies by cutting their ears
The defendant had offered to sell an undercover journalist an American bully breed puppy for £13,000.
His illegal activities were shown on a BBC One Wales television programme called 'The hidden world of designer dog breeding' broadcast in 2021.
Lee Reynolds, prosecuting, said of the mutilation: 'The defendant knew the procedure was unlawful and would cause suffering.
'He claimed he was a dog whisperer and understood dogs well.'
Cutting or cropping ears involves removing part of the ear flap for cosmetic reasons to follow a social media trend.
Adam pleaded guilty to fraud by claiming he had imported them from abroad by having fake canine passports.
He also admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the dogs.
The defendant was prosecuted following a follow-up investigation by Newport council and officers found American Bully puppies at his home.
Although Adam had offered to sell a puppy for £13,000 the going price for one was usually between £3,000 and £8,000.
'This was a significant operation,' Mr Reynolds added. 'There was significant planning and it was motivated by personal gain.
'By mutilating the animals, there was a deliberate disregard for their welfare.'
The defendant had previous convictions which included possession of drugs, for which he was jailed in France, possession with intent to supply a class B drug, possession of a knife, burglary, drink driving and driving while disqualified.
His barrister David Pinnell asked the judge to take into account his client's guilty pleas and the lengthy delay in the case coming to court.
'The defendant has rebuilt his life and wants to put this behind him,' he added.
Judge Eugene Egan told Adam: 'You selfishly put your own financial interests over and above the welfare of the dogs.
'You engaged in barbaric acts of cruelty towards them while you were lining your pockets as you treated them in the grotesque way you did.'
The defendant, he added, had been undone thanks to "quality investigative journalism".
Judge Egan jailed him for 80 weeks but suspended the sentence for two years.
The defendant was ordered to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work and complete a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement.
Adam was disqualified from keeping animals for 15 years.
He will have to pay £2,000 towards the prosecution costs.
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