Huddersfield Residents Sentenced to Community Service for Illegal Dog Breeding

Huddersfield residents sentenced to community service for illegal dog breeding

Two Huddersfield residents, Ms Bridget Reilly, 46, and Mr Andrew Keating, 42, have been sentenced to years of community service after illegally breeding dogs without a licence. The pair appeared at Huddersfield Magistrates Court on March 4, 2024, where they pleaded guilty to multiple offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

The case was brought to light when Kirklees Council Animal Health officers discovered evidence of Reilly and Keating posting adverts for various breeds of puppies on different sales platforms. Following their guilty pleas, the defendants later appeared at Leeds Crown Court on March 25, 2024, for sentencing.

Ms Reilly pleaded guilty to 18 offences and was sentenced to two years of community service and 15 days of rehabilitation activity. She has since applied for and obtained a licence to legally breed dogs. Mr Keating pleaded guilty to 11 offences and was sentenced to 18 months of community service and 25 days of rehabilitation activity. The financial penalties for the pair will be determined in a confiscation hearing scheduled for September.

Rachel Spencer-Henshall, Strategic Director for Corporate Strategy, Commissioning, and Public Health, commended the outcome of the case, stating, “It is good to see that both defendants will be paying back the community after taking advantage of many local families and profiting from illegal dog breeding.”

Under the Animal Welfare Regulations for England, anyone breeding dogs for profit must be licensed with their local authority. The law, implemented in 2018, aims to improve living conditions for dogs and combat puppy farms that prioritize profit over animal welfare.

For those looking to purchase a pet in Kirklees, it is advised to check if a breeder is licensed on the council’s website. By visiting the Animal Licences section and scrolling to the ‘Animal Licence Activity Star Rating System,’ potential pet owners can ensure they are supporting responsible and legal breeding practices. Stay updated on the latest news in Yorkshire by signing up for the newsletter.