An illegal dog breeder has been banned from the trade after a successful prosecution by Swindon Borough Council, supported by Wiltshire Police and the RSPCA.
Kimberley Barton, 58, pleaded guilty to breeding and selling four litters of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppies without a licence at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Friday (30 June).
As a hobby breeder, it’s only lawful to breed and sell two litters – and they sold for around £2,000 each. The two further litters were unplanned.
The court heard that Barton, of Melfort Close, Swindon, would have been aware of the legislation surrounding the breeding of dogs as she is involved in dog shows.
She was fined £120 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £48, plus costs of £600, which magistrates pointed out was roughly the cost of a dog breeding licence.
Barton was also made subject to a prohibition order preventing her from dealing in (selling or trading) dogs for a minimum of two years. A breach of the order could result in imprisonment.
Councillor Kevin Small, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for Licensing, said: “The regulations for breeding dogs are in place to protect the animals first and foremost, but also the people who are buying them.
“I’d like to thank our Animal Welfare team for their diligence in bringing this prosecution forward, but also our partners in Wiltshire Police and the RSPCA who helped us with the investigation.
“We take cases involving animal welfare extremely seriously and will not hesitate to prosecute if we have enough evidence. If you are unsure about whether a dog breeder is licensed please visit our website, where we list any licensed dog breeding establishments in Swindon.”
