Crufts judge fined for running illegal puppy farm in South Wales
27 puppies were found to be living in poor conditions in Carmarthenshire
A Crufts judge has been fined £78,000 for making money from an illegal puppy farm in South Wales.
Inspectors found 27 puppies in poor conditions at Gareth Lawler's home in Carmarthenshire.
He's been involved with the famous dog show for more than 30 years.
The £78,000 sum confiscated from grandfather Lawler, now living in Monmouth, under the Proceeds of Crime Act at Swansea Crown Court.
His illegal breeding was discovered when Lawler applied for a new boarding licence after it lapsed.
Carmarthenshire Council wanted to search Lawler's home "due to the unsatisfactory conditions his own dogs were being kept in and refusal to allow officers to access areas where other dogs and puppies were housed."
A spokesman said: "The subsequent search and online investigations by Council Officers uncovered breeding dogs and puppies being kept in poor conditions as well as evidence of large-scale unlicensed dog breeding.
"Twenty-seven litters were bred between 24th July 2016 and 22nd July 2020, 11 of which were bred in the last 12 months, despite being advised of current dog breeding regulations on more than one occasion."
Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “I would like to praise the actions of our Animal Welfare team who uncovered unlicensed dog breeding, as well as dogs being kept in unacceptable conditions during an inspection which forms part of the dog boarding licensing procedure.
“Mr Lawler is well-known on the dog show circuit, having judged English Springer Spaniels, Cocker Spaniels and Welsh Springer Spaniels at Kennel Club shows and this case indicates the importance of licenses for dog boarding and breeding, both of which are in place to protect the welfare of dogs.
“The Council is committed to ensuring that breeders and boarders of dogs in Carmarthenshire follow the rules that are in place which ensure that breeding dogs, their puppies and those being boarded are being kept in proper conditions”.
Carmarthenshire Council wanted to search Lawler's home "due to the unsatisfactory conditions his own dogs were being kept in and refusal to allow officers to access areas where other dogs and puppies were housed."
A spokesman said: "The subsequent search and online investigations by Council Officers uncovered breeding dogs and puppies being kept in poor conditions as well as evidence of large-scale unlicensed dog breeding.
"Twenty-seven litters were bred between 24th July 2016 and 22nd July 2020, 11 of which were bred in the last 12 months, despite being advised of current dog breeding regulations on more than one occasion."
Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “I would like to praise the actions of our Animal Welfare team who uncovered unlicensed dog breeding, as well as dogs being kept in unacceptable conditions during an inspection which forms part of the dog boarding licensing procedure.
“Mr Lawler is well-known on the dog show circuit, having judged English Springer Spaniels, Cocker Spaniels and Welsh Springer Spaniels at Kennel Club shows and this case indicates the importance of licenses for dog boarding and breeding, both of which are in place to protect the welfare of dogs.
“The Council is committed to ensuring that breeders and boarders of dogs in Carmarthenshire follow the rules that are in place which ensure that breeding dogs, their puppies and those being boarded are being kept in proper conditions”.
After the case, a Kennel Club spokesperson said: “The Kennel Club will always follow up relevant criminal convictions with an investigation and impose disciplinary penalties, if appropriate.
“However, we are obliged to await the outcome and absolute conclusion of the respective criminal proceedings (including any appeals).”