Leonard Greenough, aged 38, attended Swindon Magistrates’ Court on 14 May 2021 having been charged with offences under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018.
The proceedings were brought by Animal Protection Services, a registered charity that investigates and prosecutes organised animal cruelty. The prosecution follows intelligence-led investigations into the unlicensed sale of puppies in the Wiltshire area.
The court heard how several breeds of puppies were advertised including Patterdale Cross Puppies, Lurcher Puppies, Cocker Spaniel Puppies, and Jackapoo Puppies. Mr Greenough stated in court that he did not receive any money from the sale of puppies and had sold them on behalf of a friend.
Mr Greenough pleaded guilty and was fined £193. He was disqualified from dealing in animals for 12 months. He was ordered to pay a £200 contribution to the costs of the prosecution.
A spokesperson on behalf of Animal Protection Services said: “Trading of puppies without a licence is not acceptable. The undermining of the statutory licensing regime is a risk to animal welfare and consumer protection.”
“The illegal puppy trade has become a low risk, high reward trade and we are determined to ensure that opportunists and organised criminals are brought before the courts to face justice”, the spokesperson added.