A couple have been prosecuted for breeding puppies without a licence.
The prosecution followed a joint raid on T & S Four Paws, in Barton-under-Needwood, by Trading Standards and Environmental Health officers from East Staffordshire Borough Council in March last year.
While the premises had a pet shop licence for selling dogs, they did not have a licence for breeding them, the court heard. After a complaint about a puppy sale, officers had visited and found that they were not complying with their licence conditions, along with breeding their own puppies without a breeding licence.
Tina Harris and Stuart Ward, of T & S Four Paws, pleaded guilty at Newcastle Magistrates Court on Monday last week (March 4).
FINED
Ward received a 12-month community order and has been ordered to do 100 hours unpaid work and attend nine sessions for reading and writing skills. He was fined £1,275.41 with a £81.00 surcharge to court.
Harris, 34, also received a 12-month community order and has been ordered to do 100 hours unpaid work. She has also been fined £1,275.41 with a £81.00 surcharge.
Both have been disqualified from having or obtaining a pet shop licence and breeding licence for two years. More than £2,500 in cash was seized during the raid, which will be retained to cover the council’s costs.
Under The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, a licence for breeding dogs is required for:
– Anyone breeding three or more litters of puppies per year (unless they can show that none of the puppies have been sold)
– Anyone breeding puppies and advertising a business of selling them. This is irrespective of the number of litters produced per year. This is not restricted to registered businesses – individuals can also be classed as a business depending on the extent of their activities.
