An unlicensed dog breeder has been ordered to pay a £2,540 fine after North Lincolnshire Council licensing officers investigated reports of illegal dog breeding.

Stacey Emma (40), previously of West Butterwick, pleaded guilty at Grimsby Magistrate’s Court on 16 September to breeding and selling puppies without a license.

The total cost to apply for a licence to breed dogs with North Lincolnshire Council is £1,136, including vet fees.

The matter was prosecuted by the council’s legal team following a 17-month investigation by licensing officers.

It is the council’s first successful criminal conviction under new regulations in bringing an unlicensed dog breeder to justice.

The investigation began following several complaints and a warrant to search Ms Emma’s property was carried out alongside Humberside Police officers and the RSPCA.

Officers seized evidence confirming Ms Emma had bred ten litters of puppies since 2018 without a licence.

These included dachshunds, German shepherds and labrador retrievers. Some puppies were advertised for more than £1,000 and bank statements revealed Ms Emma had made £8,000 in one month from selling the dogs.

Evidence was later obtained confirming Ms Emma carried on breeding and selling dogs after officers had visited her, changing her name on adverts to avoid detection.

She later moved out of North Lincolnshire but the council decided to continue the prosecution.

The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 give local authorities more powers than previously to prosecute unlicensed breeders.

However, it is often extremely challenging when it comes to proving acts of unlicensed breeding, as it is solely reliant on complainants coming forward.

The 2018 regulations state that a licence is required: where a person breeds three or more litters in any 12-month period; or where a person breeds and sells dogs in the course of a business. In determining whether the activity is run in the course of a business, a key indicator is whether the person makes a profit from breeding and selling dogs.

The council will continue to investigate reports of unlicensed breeders and take legal action when evidence confirms it is appropriate to do so. Unlicensed breeders risk a fine, imprisonment, or both.