Prosecuting on behalf of Cheshire East Borough Council Miss Ghahhary outlined to Chester Crown Court that David Rowley of Liverpool Road East, Church Lawton, Cheshire, had pleaded guilty to 4 offences of keeping a pet shop without a licence contrary to the Pet Animals Act 1951.
The Court heard how Mr Rowley was advised and warned by Council Officers in 2012 and 2013 that he would need to obtain a Pet Shop Licence before buying and selling puppies to the public and, that as part of his responsibilities as a licence holder he would need to ensure that the puppies had come from a reputable source and carry out illness checks for diseases and viruses.
Despite those warnings and contrary to the clear advice he had received, Mr Rowley bought and sold over 1200 puppies between January 2013 and March 2014 without first obtaining the required licence to do so.
In four cases the puppies became ill within days of being purchased forcing their owners to take them to the vet where, in three of those cases the dogs were diagnosed as suffering with Parvovirus and were transferred to the veterinary hospital for treatment however, sadly, eventually due to the deterioration in their health were put to sleep. In one case the puppy was suspected as suffering with pneumonia and was also put to sleep. In each case those who had purchased the puppies later lodged complaints with the Council.
Mr Rowley was fined £1332, ordered to pay compensation in the sum of £4735.72 to Pet Plan Insurance, ordered to pay compensation to each of the complainants, was disqualified from keeping a pet shop for a period of 1 year and, was ordered to pay £500 towards the prosecution costs.