A Nottinghamshire couple who illegally bred puppies in cramped kennels have been fined more than £3,000. Following complaints of illegal puppy breeding being made to Gedling Borough Council, officers investigated a business run by couple Michael Ogden, 51, and Andrea Ogden, 32, of Burntstump Hill, Arnold.
Officers found that they were operating without a dog breeding licence and did not have planning permission for business use of the site. The couple also denied breeding three or more litters of puppies in a 12 month period - individuals who breed three or more litters within a year or engage in dog breeding for business purposes must obtain the necessary licence.
The pair later applied for a dog breeding licence, though this was refused as the kennels at the premises were too small and did not meet the legal requirements. Planning permission was then also sought to develop at the site, however this was refused due to the impact it would have on the greenbelt and the disruption that would be caused to nearby properties.
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The applicants appealed the council’s decision to refuse planning permission, but the decision was upheld by the government’s Planning Inspector. Despite this, further investigations showed the couple had continued to breed and sell dogs, with puppies being advertised on social media as well as multiple other websites.
Documents provided to the council showed the couple had a waiting list for customers to purchase puppies, with some of the animals being priced at more than £2,000 each. Despite being warned of potential legal action, the couple continued to breed and sell dogs without a licence and so the council took appropriate enforcement action.
On March 28, the Ogdens pleaded guilty to breeding and selling dogs without a licence at Nottingham Magistrates' Court, leading to fines and costs totalling more than £3,500. Leader of Gedling Borough Council, councillor John Clarke, said: "The dog breeding licensing process is in place for a reason and we remain committed to ensuring this process is followed for the safety and well-being of our residents and animals.
"We will not hesitate to take firm action against illegal dog breeding operations and this case serves as a reminder that unlicensed breeding activities will not be tolerated in our borough. We urge residents to report any suspicions they may have, and enable us to tackle these issues. By working together, we can continue to protect our community and ensure responsible practices in dog breeding.
"I would like to thank our licensing and legal officers for their work on this case and the residents who came forward to report their concerns.” Residents who suspect cases of illegal dog breeding are encouraged to report them to Gedling Borough Council by email at licensing@gedling.gov.uk or by calling 0115 901 3901
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