On Tuesday 8th October at Wrexham Magistrates court a Wrexham based dog breeder Sarah Fell-Groom trading as Fell Groom puppies pleaded guilty to breeding dogs without a licence under The Animal Welfare Act 2006 and participated in a misleading practice by advertising on her website that she was fully licensed with Wrexham County Borough Council, contrary to Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.
Ms Fell-Groom bred dogs at her home between 21 December 2022 and 20th December 2023. In that time 5 litters are puppies were born from 3 different breeding bitches. A licensing conditions of licensed breeders is one litter of puppies a year from a breeding bitch.
Following deliberations the Magistrates indicated that although there was an animal welfare issue in that one of the bitches had 2 litters in less than 12 months they didn’t feel that the offence crossed the custody threshold. Ms Fell- Groom was fined £3000 for breeding dogs without a license and £1500 for the misleading practice. In total with costs and victim surcharge the total fine was £7148.
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Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead member at Wrexham council for public protection said “The welfare of dogs and puppies should always be the priority for any buyer or breeder. “We’ll continue to investigate all reports of unlicensed dog breeding and come down hard on those who fail to adhere to the rules, treating these crimes in the same way as other fraudulent or acquisitive offences. “We hope this sentencing acts as a deterrent to others and encourages everyone to follow the official protocols.”
Under The Animal Welfare (Breeding of Dogs) (Wales) Regulations 2014 a licence is required when a person keeps on the premises 3 or more breeding bitches (any un-neutered, female dog over 6 months old) and –
(a) breeds on those premises 3 or more litters of puppies in any 12 month period,
(b) advertises for sale from those premises a puppy or puppies born from 3 or more litters of puppies for sale in any 12 month period,
(c) supplies from those premises a puppy or puppies born from 3 or more litters of puppies in any 12 month period; or
(d) advertises a business of breeding or selling puppies from those premises.
If you do not fall within the definition of a dog breeder outlined above, you may still need a licence under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities involving Animals) Wales Regulations 2021 if you are selling animals as pets. Please contact The Food and Farming team within Public Protection for more information public_protection_service@wrexham.gov.uk
If you are considering buying a puppy, please take the following advice:
- Get as much information about the puppy, the parents and siblings as possible
- Meet the puppy and its parents in their own environment and try to meet the puppy more than once
- Be aware of being told that you cannot see the mother because she is being walked, with a friend or at the vets.
- Ask to see any documents relating to vaccinations, microchipping and any relevant health tests
- Never meet or buy a puppy from places such as car parks or a lay-by
- Be aware of multiple phone numbers being use and similar photographs on different adverts
- Ask to see their council licence
- Don’t feel rushed into making a decision or handing over any money
- Don’t be afraid to say no
