Illegal dog breeder from Leiston jailed following council investigation …

An illegal dog breeder and dealer has been jailed, and banned from keeping animals for 10 years, following a successful prosecution by East Suffolk Council.

Jamie Wilkinson was sentenced at Suffolk Magistrates’ Court on Friday 28 April for the unlicensed breeding and sale of dogs, along with a number of other offences, including fly-tipping.

The 33-year-old, of Foxglove End, Leiston, was also disqualified from breeding, owning or keeping animals for the next decade.

At an earlier hearing, on 7 March, Wilkinson pleaded guilty to breeding dogs and advertising a business of selling dogs, without a licence, on nine separate occasions between 1 October 2020 and 31 August 2021.

Wilkinson appeared for sentencing in custody, having been recalled to prison for breaching the terms of his licensed release from a previous sentence a fortnight earlier.

The prosecution was brought under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 by East Suffolk Council, which had also applied to the court for a disposal order to seize a bulldog (pictured) from the address, as an animal in distress, in September 2021.

Fiona Quinn, Head of Environmental Services and Port Health at East Suffolk Council, says “The breeding of dogs is quite rightly subject to a number of regulations aimed at protecting the welfare of animals. We keep a list of recognised licensed breeders on our website for anyone considering buying a puppy.

“East Suffolk Council takes seriously any reported breach of the Animal Welfare Act. We will investigate reports of unregulated activity and, where appropriate, seek prosecution.

“We thank all responsible owners and hope that this sentence serves as an example of the consequences of endangering the welfare of animals.”

Wilkinson also received a two-week concurrent jail sentence for breaching sections 33(1)(a), (60) and (8) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 by failing to pay a fine imposed by East Suffolk Council for dumping three large cardboard boxes, several grey cube storage boxes and a black binbag in High Street, Leiston, on 19 May 2021.

Fiona Quinn adds: “The prosecution and conviction of Mr Wilkinson is testament to how seriously the Council takes the offences of littering and fly-tipping and that offenders will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

Magistrates took into account Wilkinson’s early admission of guilt but agreed with the recommendation of a pre-sentence report by the probation service for an immediate custodial term.

He was jailed for a total of 20 weeks for the animal welfare offences, with an additional six-week consecutive term and a further two-week concurrent sentences for offences including failing to provide a specimen for testing when required. He faced no separate penalty for further separate offences of criminal damage and obstructing a police constable in the execution of their duties.

Wilkinson was banned for 10 years from keeping animals, and from any other licensable animal activity, under sections 34 and 42 of the Animal Welfare Act, and may only appeal for termination of either disqualification after a period of five years.

Let’s hope this stands as a warning to ALL other illegal dog breeders in East Suffolk …

* If you suspect someone is breeding animals illegally or you have purchased a puppy from an illegal seller, call: 0333 016 2000 to pass on information in confidence.

* Have you had experiences with dodgy dog breeders in Suffolk, write in and tell us your story on: info@livinginsuffolk.com