Dorset illegal puppy breeders face jail, if £150,000 fine isn't paid
A judge has given two people three months to pay up
A pair of convicted illegal puppy breeders in Dorset have been given three months to pay more then £150,000 - or face up to 18 months in jail.
William Derrick Perriton and Rebecca Heath from Three Legged Cross admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal; failing to take steps to ensure the needs of animals were met; and carrying out a dog breeding and selling business without a licence.
They've already been sentenced to 200 hours of community service each - but have now been given a confiscation order by a judge at Bournemouth Crown Court.
That's made against people to repay the amount they've financially benefitted from their crimes.
Perriton has been ordered to pay £115,000 or risk 18 months in prison; while Heath has to pay £34,480 or face 9 months of jail time.
Both of them have also been ordered to pay £4,500 each in prosecution costs and victim surcharges of £85 each.
The defendants were prosecuted by Dorset Council following an investigation that lasted several years.
Where will the money go?
Dorset Council is set to receive 37% of the confiscation order funds, which amounts to £55,440.
That'll would go into their Community and Public Protection budget, to be spent across the county.
The rest is split between central government and the HM Courts & Tribunals Service.
Cllr Laura Beddow, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Customer and Community Services, said:
“This is a landmark case for Dorset Council, involving an enormous amount of work from officers in our Environmental Health, Legal and Trading Standards teams. I’m sure everyone will join me in thanking all those involved for their efforts in getting this great result.
"Anyone who truly loves dogs – or animals generally – needs to understand that using an unlicensed breeder to purchase a pet is effectively supporting an illegal business, often without any consideration of the welfare and environmental needs of the animals being sold."
All of the puppies involved in the case are back to full health and have been rehomed.
Dorset Council has plenty of advice on their website about how to check if breeders are licensed, to report unlicensed breeders, and tips on knowing what to look for and check when buying a puppy.