Unlicensed dog breeder fined £17k

A woman has been fined £17,000 for breaches related to unlicenced dog breeding. Caroline Watson of Huntshaw pleaded guilty to four charges of breeding dogs without a licence at Barnstaple Magistrates Court on Tuesday, October 22,

Watson bred four litters of puppies in 2023: including three litters of cocker spaniels and one mixed cocker spaniel/German shepherd litter. The admittance of guilt was taken into account and Watson was fined a total of £17,163 in fines and fees.

Torridge District Council first received a complaint from Trading Standards regarding the suspected unlicensed breeding business in October 2023. A second complaint was received from a member of public in April 2024 regarding some cocker spaniel puppies suffering from entropian – a painful eye condition, which can be difficult and expensive to remedy.

Numerous attempts were made by Torridge District Council to inform and engage with Watson, however, when these efforts failed Torridge Licensing Officers initiated the prosecution process.

Watson sold the puppies for £950 each, making a significant sales profit during the 12-month period.

The advert for the German Shepherd cross puppies stated: “These pups will grow to have the temperament of a spaniel and the agility of a German shepherd. They will make perfect family pets, good with children of all ages.”

However, it was known that the breeding bitch, had a previous bite history. One of the conditions of a dog breeding licence is that no puppies will be bred from parents with known aggressive traits. This highlights the importance of buying puppies from responsible, licensed dog breeders or re-homing dogs from charities that have fully assessed dogs needing a home. One bitch was bred back-to-back, giving birth to two litters within a 12 month period. It was recognised that this was poor practise as the bitch does not have a season between litters.

Councillor Phillip Hackett, lead member for public health & community service, said: "This case shines a light on the importance of choosing puppies from licensed breeders who adhere to the numerous requirements under The Animal Welfare Act 2006.

“Torridge Officers are committed to investigating unlicensed animal activities and taking cases to court when necessary. Buying a puppy from an unlicensed breeder can be a risky business. The dogs are often in poor health and temperament, and the breeders may not be knowledgeable about the breed’s particular needs. If you're considering giving a home to a dog or puppy, please think about reaching out to rescue centres - there are so many dogs in need. If you are interested in buying a puppy from a licensed breeder, please be sure to visit the Torridge website beforehand at www.torridge.gov.uk/publicregister."