animal welfare

Man and woman arrested following investigation into illegal dog breeding

A Darlington man and woman have been arrested following an investigation into illegal dog breeding.

The two suspects were arrested last week in the Firthmoor area of ​​Darlington on suspicion of money laundering, breeding without a license and fraud by false representation.

They were questioned by officers and have since been released under investigation to allow further investigation.

Read more: Darlington man behind bars after spate of burglaries in town

The arrests follow a joint investigation, carried out by Durham County Council’s Trading Standards team with the support of Durham Police.

Sergeant James Woodcock, of the Darlington Neighborhood Police Team, said: “It has become clear that organized crime and criminals are using dog breeding to generate wealth and support other illegal activities.

“Breeding without a license not only raises animal welfare concerns, but the lack of regulation can also fund dog theft as new animals are needed to meet demand.

“I urge people in Darlington to research where they buy animals from and follow the advice of the RSPCA and other animal placement charities.”

Durham Constabulary confirmed on Wednesday August 11 that inquiries are continuing.

Joanne Waller, Durham County Council’s Community Protective Services Manager, said: ‘We are working with our partners to continue to tackle illegal dog farming across the county and raise awareness of the problem.



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“It’s really important that people know who they’re buying a dog from.

“Choosing a responsible, licensed breeder will increase your chances of owning a happy, healthy dog.

“I therefore encourage everyone to do their homework before agreeing to buy a puppy, or considering rehoming a dog through charity to provide them with a loving home.”

An animal activity license is required for anyone who operates a breeding establishment (including private homes) for dogs that meets the following conditions:

  • If in a 12 month period their dogs give birth to three or more litters whether or not they are in the business of breeding and selling dogs.
  • Anyone “in the business” of breeding and selling dogs must be licensed regardless of the number of litters they have in a 12 month period.

A license is also required for someone selling puppies as a business, regardless of the number of litters they have per year. The commercial test is income over £1000 where they clearly advertise puppies for sale (either themselves or through proxy sellers).

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Fury as controversial dog farm learns it can keep operating

Angry neighbors have lost their fight to shut down allegedly “illegally built” dog breeding kennels near their homes.

Residents near Smithy Farm are concerned about noise from barking dogs and pollution, as well as road safety issues.

However, after the owners’ plans changed, motorway bosses said they no longer opposed the project.

‘Mr and Mrs Emery’ have now received permission from the East Staffordshire Borough Council planning committee to continue their kennel business at Smithy Farm, Mill Lane, Gratwich, near Uttoxeter.

The applicants requested the maintenance of the use of part of the farmyard for the breeding of dogs, which includes the maintenance of kennels and the construction of a shed and a whelping store – where female dogs give birth – as well as an acoustic fence.

Those consulted by law – those who must be consulted on planning applications by law – raised no objections.

However, Kingstone Parish Council says there is overwhelming opposition in the community due to the impact of noise, dog soiling and “loss of amenity/enjoyment to local residents”.

He said “there would be constant barking at the site, which is not manned and monitored once a day by the breeder”.

The council also claims that dog fouling has increased in the area surrounding the property and has been linked to animal husbandry, as well as an increase in “antisocial hours” at which the owner tends to the animals.

Councilors do not believe the acoustic fence will make a difference to the noise level.

Eleven objections were submitted by residents on the grounds of noise, disturbance and pollution, road safety and drainage implications and animal welfare (including the impact of boundary fencing).

An objector, Julia Owen, spoke at the virtual meeting and said the owners did not live on site and were not on site to look after the dogs.



The kennel drew criticism from neighbors

She said: “The owner arrives on site at 4.30am which is unacceptable.

“The site is messy and does not correspond to the neighborhood.

“The kennels were built illegally, without any consultation

“This will only benefit one house and will not take into account the other 10 (nearby) houses.”

However, Jon Imber, acting on behalf of the plaintiffs, told the meeting that highways and environmental health raised no objections.

He added: “As far as noise goes, this is a very small business of five dogs and two litters a year. It’s a working farmyard and there will be some noise.

“Applicants want to move into the site quickly, so this will avoid early arrivals.”

The council’s planning officers, in recommending the plans for approval, said the application “would not be significantly detrimental to residential amenities in terms of dominating or overshadowing impacts”.

They added: “The project would not significantly impair the visual amenities of the locality as the buildings and associated fencing are of a size and appearance that could reasonably be part of a farm area in a locality. rural.”

They also said the environmental health officer was satisfied that a ‘noise report and management plan’ showed the development ‘would not result in a significant reduction in amenities for nearby residents due to noise disturbance “.

Councilor Greg Hall said at the meeting, “I hope the candidates maintain this site in a way that doesn’t disrupt everyone’s lives and prove the residents wrong.”

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Controversial kennel at Ebbw Vale could still be allowed

Controversial dog breeding kennel projects in Ebbw Vale, which thousands have opposed, could be back on the cards.

An appeal has been lodged against a decision by Blaenau Gwent Council to refuse permission to convert a former stable into 30 kennels at Star Fields in Mountain Road.

Around 18,500 people have signed a petition against the plans, with campaigning led by charities and animal welfare groups – including Hope Rescue, Puppy Love Campaigns and CARIAD.

Activists said the plans run counter to a motion passed unanimously by the council in favor of Lucy’s Law, which states that puppies must be sold from their place of birth.

But councilors have also been warned by planning officers that rejecting the application on animal welfare grounds could leave the authority open to an appeal.

Instead, the reasons given for the denial were based on the impact the buildings might have on a Special Landscape Area (SLA).

But an appeal filed on behalf of the plaintiff, Lee Bowerman, says the buildings have been in place for some time now and match others in the area that have no impact on ALS.

No more than 25 dogs at any one time will be kept on the site, in the interests of animal welfare, according to the appeal.

The number of dogs allowed on the site would also be regulated according to national standards by an independent and qualified veterinarian, it says.

The use of any of the proposed buildings for the breeding of dogs is “completely appropriate”, the appeal adds.

A request for costs has also been filed in relation to the rejection of the plans.

It states that the conduct of counsel in the application “is a clear example of unreasonable behavior, resulting in an unnecessary appeal and the incurring of unnecessary costs for the appellant, thereby justifying an award of costs.”

But activists have vowed to fight the appeal.



Hope Rescue Founder Vanessa Waddon, Counselor Lisa Winnett and Hope Rescue Volunteer Alison Jakob

Councilor Lisa Winnett, who has already lodged an objection with the Planning Inspectorate, said: “I will always fight for animal welfare and try to be a voice for the voiceless because these dogs can’t speak for themselves.”

The charity Hope Rescue said: ‘We will not give up and keep fighting.

A town planning inspector will review the appeal in the coming months.

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