A trio of breeders from Cornwall who kept dogs and puppies in cold and dirty outbuildings have been banned from keeping dogs and cats for ten years and ordered to pay more than £14,000 in fines and costs.

At a previous hearing, Alison Gilbert, Amy Gilbert, and Jonathan Roberts, of Lower Biscovillack Farm, St Austell, pleaded guilty to charges under Section 9 of 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 under Section 4 for causing the unnecessary suffering of animals.

The animals were kept in cold and filthy conditionsThe animals were kept in cold and filthy conditions (Image: Cornwall Council)

Officers from Cornwall Council’s Licensing Compliance team carried out an inspection at 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.

The officers also found an outside cattery at the premises housing expensive cats such as Bengals, Maine Coons and Ragdolls, as well as some kittens which were being advertised for sale without the benefit of a Pet Shop Licence. The cats were dirty, with matted fur and faeces stuck to their coats. The cattery was poorly ventilated and had an overpowering smell of ammonia from urine.

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.

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 They found the conditions had not improved and Alison and Amy Gilbert’s dog breeding licence was revoked with immediate effect.

The animals were kept in cold and filthy conditionsThe animals were kept in cold and filthy conditions (Image: Cornwall Council)

During their subsequent investigation, the officers discovered that more than 200 litters of puppies had been sold over a period of a few years. Some of the dogs had been bred two or three times in a 12-month period.

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 in cats or dogs for a period of 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.”