Carmarthenshire County Council Secures Conviction Against Unlicensed Dog Breeder

In a case heard at Swansea Crown Court, Carmarthenshire County Council successfully prosecuted Tomos Davies of Rhydygors Farm for operating an unlicensed dog breeding business. The case marks a significant enforcement of the Animal Welfare (Breeding of Dogs) (Wales) Regulations 2014, aiming to ensure the welfare of breeding dogs and their puppies.

The investigation began in October 2022 after Carmarthenshire County Council received allegations that Mr. Davies was breeding and selling litters of puppies without the required licence. Despite contacting the Council in January 2021 to inquire about obtaining a dog breeding licence and receiving a comprehensive information pack outlining the necessary steps and legal requirements, Mr. Davies failed to submit an application.

In February 2023, a Data Protection Act request to several advertising platforms revealed evidence that Mr. Davies had been actively advertising puppies for sale. The data uncovered nine advertising accounts, including five registered in Mr. Davies' name across platforms such as Preloved, Pets4homes, Kennel Club, Gumtree, and Freeads, and four accounts registered to a third party.

The advertising records showed that Mr. Davies had listed 11 litters of puppies for sale between April 21, 2021, and February 19, 2023. The breeds advertised included Labradoodles, French Bulldogs, Labradors, Beagles, and Dobermans. Despite being fully aware of the licensing regulations, Mr. Davies continued his breeding operations without obtaining the necessary licence, prompting legal action by the County Council.

Councillor Aled Vaughan Owen, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, commented on the case:

This successful prosecution underscores the importance of adhering to animal welfare regulations. Unlicensed breeding can lead to poor conditions for the animals involved. Carmarthenshire County Council will continue to enforce these regulations rigorously to protect the welfare of dogs and puppies."

The Council urges all prospective dog breeders to familiarise themselves with the legal requirements and ensure they obtain the appropriate licences before commencing breeding operations. In addition to the Animal Welfare (Breeding of Dogs) (Wales) Regulations 2014, the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities involving Animals) (Wales) Regulations 2021 also apply to unlicensed dog breeding depending on the circumstances. These regulations are in place to safeguard the health and safeguarding of breeding dogs and their offspring.