Spalding: Woman fined for illegally breeding dogs

23 April 2012, 06:00

A woman from Spalding's who tried to earn money from illegally breeding dogs - has instead been fined £9000.

Mandy Goodwin (43),of Surfleet Road, Spalding, was fined £2,000 on a first offence, given no separate penalty for a second and ordered to pay £7,000 in costs to the counciland pay a £15 victim surcharge.
 
She pleaded guilty to two charges under the Breeding of Dogs Act 1973.  
 
More than fivelitters were born at Mrs Goodwin’s home between April 4, 2010 and March 16, 2011. Mrs Goodwin also pleaded guilty to selling a pug puppy for £595 to an SHDC licensing officer during a test purchase operation at her home.  
 
The defendant bred 8 litters during the period of the first offence and the pug puppy that was bought during the investigation has since been re-homed into a loving family.  
 
The breeds of dogs within the litters included pugs, Dogue de Bordeaux and French bulldog, a type which can be sold for between £600 and £1,000 each.
 
Mrs Goodwin was twice offered the  opportunity  to apply for a dog breeding licence - the licence fee at the time was £110 plus vets costs (the fee has now gone up to £115), but chose not to do so. 
 
She advertised on the 'Epupz' website under the alias Dave Smith at a different address which was another property registered to her name.

South Holland District Council say the case highlights the need for dog breeders to act responsibly and to work in partnership with the licensing authority. The Council say they take animal welfare seriously and the need to ensure that all breeders are following the necessary procedures and veterinary support for the animals they breed. 
 
A spokesman for the Council told Heart "Mrs Goodwin was given every reasonable opportunity to apply for a licence and chose to ignore the guidance and the warnings given."
 
The costs associated with a breeder’s licence and a veterinary check are modest incomparison to the business potential of well bred dogs. 

The licensing requirements for dog breeders serve to protect not only the welfare of the animals but also to ensure that customers are receiving healthy, well reared dogs and it is through the licensing system that the Council can work inpartnership with breeders to discharge its responsibility in these matters."