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 Telford area.

The court heard how several breeds of puppies were advertised including Jack Russell’s, Dachshunds, French Bulldogs, Pugs, and Labradors.

Ms Massey pleaded guilty and was fined £200. She was disqualified from dealing in animals for 12 months. She 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.

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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 Telford area.

The court heard how several breeds of puppies were advertised including Labrador Retrievers and English Springer Spaniels. The prosecution said Mr Hill stood to earn around £25,250 from his illegal puppy trading activities and that 11 litters were offered for sale since February 2019.

Mr Hill pleaded guilty and was fined £330. 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.

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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 Lancashire area.

Any information on the whereabouts of O’Connor should be forwarded to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or Lancashire Constabulary.

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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.

Any information on the whereabouts of Ciavatta should be forwarded to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or Wiltshire Police.

The post Warrant issued for the arrest of an illegal puppy seller appeared first on Animal Protection Services.

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.

The post Swindon illegal puppy seller given fine and disqualified from dealing in animals appeared first on Animal Protection Services.

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 West Midlands area.

Ms Skeet had advertised a litter of Chocolate Labrador puppies that she claimed later died. She admitted advertising a litter of Cocker Spaniel puppies for friends.

Ms Skeet pleaded guilty to all matters. She was sentenced to a fine of £720 and a disqualification from dealing in dogs for 3 years. She was ordered to pay a contribution of £500 towards investigation costs.

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.

The post Illegal dudley puppy trader sentenced appeared first on Animal Protection Services.

The proceedings were brought by Animal Protection Services, a registered charity that investigates and prosecutes organised animal cruelty.

The prosecution follows an undercover investigation where investigators visited Mrs Smith’s address to view puppies. The investigators were not allowed into the house and viewed the puppies on the doorstep. The covert test purchase was recorded on film and formed the prosecution evidence leading to the conviction.

In mitigation, Mrs Smith told the court that she was on Universal Credit and that she “cannot remember how many litters she had in 2019”. District Judge Wilkinson remarked that Mrs Smith had defrauded the local authority, the taxpayer, and the benefits office.

Mrs Smith was ordered to pay a fine of £2,000, a statutory surcharge of £190, and a contribution to investigation costs of £3,221. Furthermore, Mrs Smith was given a disqualification from dealing in dogs and cats for three years.

A spokesperson on behalf of Animal Protection Services said: “We are pleased with the outcome of the sentencing at court today. It is a testament to the brave work of our covert intelligence-led teams that risk their own safety to bring criminals to justice.

It is a great day for animal welfare, and we hope that the significant fine will serve as a warning to other criminals who are looking to take advantage of animals for financial profit”.

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Harry Shane Evans, aged 32, of Bro Syr Ifor, Tregarth, Bangor appeared before Caernarfon Justice Centre to answer offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the Pet Animals Act 1951.

The proceedings were brought by Animal Protection Services, a registered charity that investigates and prosecutes organised animal cruelty. The prosecution follows an investigation into Mr Evans having sold a poorly puppy from ALDI’s Car Park in Bangor.

VETERINRAY EVIDENCE HEARD IN COURT

The court heard how the puppy, now named Bonnie, was diagnosed with hemorrhagic gastroenteritis due to poor biosecurity arrangements. In mitigation, Mr Evans admitted that he should have done more to protect Bonnie from pain, injury, suffering, and disease. Mr Evans admitted that the puppy had been “passing worms” prior to the sale and admits he “could have done more”. He also admitted that he had done “limited prior research on Google” before breeding and selling puppies.

Veterinary evidence described how Bonnie was weak, recumbent, and underweight. It suggested that Bonnie would have suffered unnecessarily leading up to and during her illness. It further suggested that the conditions to which Bonnie was exposed to in her early life prior to being sold were likely of poor hygiene, inadequate nutrition, poor biosecurity and overcrowding.

Further sales of puppies had been reported to authorities but could not be investigated due to the reluctance of witnesses to give evidence.

Mr Evans pleaded guilty to offences under the Pet Animals Act 1951 for carrying on a business of selling pets in a public place. In addition, Mr Evans pleaded guilty to failing to ensure an animals’ welfare under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

A spokesperson on behalf of Animal Protection Services said: “We are extremely disappointed that the court did not ban Mr Evans from keeping dogs. Anybody who breeds and sells dogs for profit should conduct prior research and preparation.

The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill 2019-21 is needed now than more ever to prevent wholly inadequate sentencing.”

Mr Evans was fined and ordered to pay costs of £2,000. Full compensation was awarded to the victim.

If you have been a victim of the puppy trade, you should report it on the Four Paws website. Click here to make your report.

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Passing sentence, District Judge Nick Sanders told Mr Lawrence that: “You chose voluntarily to engage in a business that is trading and dealing in misery. You have inflicted immense misery upon these two individuals [the victims]. The emotional distress you have caused is unforgiveable. There is a need for deterrent sentencing.”

Mr Lawrence looked astonished as keys jangled and prison officers entered the dock at Crewe Magistrates’ Court.

Mr Lawrence was sentenced to 8 weeks imprisonment for two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to be served concurrently. He is also disqualified from keeping all animals for 10 years. He is required to pay full compensation to both victims in the case.

“We are very pleased with the results today at Crewe Magistrates’ Court before District Judge Nick Sanders. The illegal puppy trade has grown dramatically and organised crime groups are taking advantage of the increase in prices of puppies during the pandemic”, said a spokesperson for Animal Protection Services.

James Parry, prosecuting on behalf of Animal Protection Services, said: “The Judge said that deterrent sentencing was necessary for this type of offence. He was correct. This sentence demonstrates to those who indulge in peddling such misery that they will be caught and will be punished.”  

Featured photo is a puppy, known as Warwick, that had been sold by John Lawrence.

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The proceedings were brought by Animal Protection Services, a registered charity that investigates and prosecutes organised animal cruelty. The prosecution follows investigations into the unlicensed sale of puppies in the Lancashire area.

Walter Lee, of Jubilee Lane, Blackpool, plead guilty to offences and was fined £120. He was ordered to pay £200 contribution to prosecution costs and received a disqualification order from dealing in dogs for 12 months.

Rachel Driver, of Accrington Road, Burnley, plead guilty to offences and was fined £320. She was ordered to pay £200 contribution to prosecution costs and received a disqualification order from dealing in dogs for 12 months.

John Thomas, of St Mary’s Road, Great Eccleston, plead guilty to offences and was fined £804. He was ordered to pay £200 contribution to prosecution costs and received a disqualification order from dealing in dogs for 12 months.

Wayne Cleminson, of Wingate Avenue, Morecambe, plead guilty to offences and was fined £1,010. He was ordered to pay £200 contribution to prosecution costs and received a disqualification order from dealing in dogs for 12 months.

Kate Welch, prosecuting 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.

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