Heysham man fined and banned after unlicensed puppy sales

A Heysham man has been banned from breeding or selling dogs for three years after being caught selling puppies illegally.
Lancaster Magistrates' Court. Photo: Google Street ViewLancaster Magistrates' Court. Photo: Google Street View
Lancaster Magistrates' Court. Photo: Google Street View

George Miller, of Woodlands Drive, appeared before Lancaster Magistrates’ Court on Monday after proceedings were brought by Animal Protection Services, a registered charity that investigates and prosecutes organised animal cruelty.

The prosecution follows an investigation into the unlicensed sale of puppies in the northern region.

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Miller, 29, pleaded guilty to two charges - one of the unlicenced sale of animals as pets (Animal Welfare Act 2006, s13(1) and Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, sch 1) and another of the unlawful sale of pets (Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008; regulations 12 and 13 and para 9 of sch 1.)

He was fined £1,173 and ordered to pay a contribution to prosecution costs of £900. Magistrates also disqualified him from dealing in dogs (both selling and breeding) for three years.

A spokesman for Animal Protection Services said: “Trading of puppies without a license is not acceptable. The undermining of the statutory licensing regime is a risk to animal welfare and consumer protection.”

“The illegal puppy trade has become a high risk, low reward trade and we are determined to ensure that opportunists and organised criminals are brought before the courts to face justice”, the spokesman added.