A WREXHAM dog breeder has been found guilty of operating without a licence.

Sarah Fell-Groom appeared before Wrexham Magistrates Court on Tuesday (October 8).

Trading under 'Fell Groom Puppies', she 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.

Fell-Groom bred dogs at her home between December 21, 2022 and December 20, 2023.

In that time, five litters of puppies were born from three different breeding bitches - a licensing condition 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 two litters in less than 12 months, they didn’t feel that the offence crossed the custody threshold.

Fell-Groom was fined £3,000 for breeding dogs without a license and £1,500 for the misleading practice.

In total, with costs and victim surcharge, the total fine was £7,148.

Animal welfare 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.

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“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 three or more breeding bitches (any un-neutered, female dog over 6 months old) and:

(A) Breeds on those premises three or more litters of puppies in any 12 month period 

(B) Advertises for sale from those premises a puppy or puppies born from three or more litters of puppies for sale in any 12 month period.

(C) Supplies from those premises a puppy or puppies born from three 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