| Breeders who kept dogs out in cold banned
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Issue: 11/10/2024
A trio of breeders who kept dogs and puppies in cold and dirty outbuildings have been banned from keeping dogs for 10 years and ordered to pay more than £14,000 in fines and costs.
Alison Gilbert, Amy Gilbert, and Jonathan Roberts, of Lower Biscovillack Farm, St Austell, pleaded guilty to charges under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, for not taking reasonable steps to ensure the needs of the animals in their care were met and for failing to comply with welfare regulations. Amy Roberts also pleaded guilty to an additional offence for causing the unnecessary suffering of animals.
Officers from Cornwall Council’s Licensing Compliance team inspected Lower Biscovillack Farm in February 2023 following complaints from members of the public.
They found more than 60 dogs which had not been spayed or castrated and three litters of puppies. The dogs were kept in draughty, cold outbuildings, which were overcrowded and dirty.
Improvement notices were served which required the breeders to improve the living conditions and cleanliness of all areas where animals resided and to seek veterinary advice for underweight dogs.
WARRANT
The Licensing Compliance Officers executed a warrant to reinspect the premises in April 2023. They found the conditions had not improved and Alison and Amy Gilbert’s dog breeding licence was revoked with immediate effect.
During their subsequent investigation, the officers discovered that more than 200 litters of puppies had been sold over a few years. Some of the dogs had been bred two or three times in 12 months.
On October 2, 2024, at Truro Magistrates’ Court, Alison Gilbert, aged 60, Amy Gilbert, aged 33, and Jonathan Roberts, aged 36, were each given a Disqualification Order preventing them from owning, keeping, and dealing with cats or dogs for 10 years. Amy Gilbert was also given a 12-month Community Order.
Alison Gilbert was fined £368 with a £147 victim surcharge, Amy Gilbert was fined £923 with a £114 surcharge and Johnathan Roberts was fined £269 with a £108 surcharge. The Court awarded Cornwall Council full costs of £12,459.80.
Councillor Carol Mould, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods at Cornwall Council, said: “These individuals showed a blatant disregard for the welfare of the dogs and cats in their care. The animals were being used purely for breeding purposes to make money.
“We will not allow breeders to treat animals in this way and I hope this case acts as an example to others.”
