CONVICTED (2024) | Kristina Barton, born 18 August 1995, of Heol Dinefwr. Foelgastell, Cross Hands, Llanelli SA14 7EH – for dog breeding without a licence.
Unlicensed puppy breeder Barton, who also runs a pony event business called Carmarthenshire Party Ponies & Therapy Pets, was told to pay £26,700 after admitting three charges under the Animal Welfare Act at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court.
Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings were launched, where the prosecution alleged that Barton profited to the sum of around £31,000 from the illegal puppy sales.
Swansea Crown Court heard that Barton had bred as many as nine litters of puppies during that period. The case was brought to light after multiple complaints from concerned neighbours to Carmarthenshire County Council and Dyfed-Powys Police.
The investigation began in April 2020 when Barton initially inquired about a dog breeding licence. Despite being provided with an information pack, subsequent complaints from neighbouring properties surfaced, leading to allegations of illegal dog breeding, unauthorised construction of kennels and stables, noise disturbances from barking dogs, and dogs straying and fouling outside the property.
In May 2021, an advert on the Pets4Homes website revealed that Barton was advertising a litter of puppies, prompting a warning letter from Carmarthenshire County Council. However, the situation escalated when Dyfed Powys Police received additional complaints in April 2022.
A Data Protection Act request, by the Local Authority to Pets4Homes, uncovered that Barton bred as many as nine litters of puppies and offered four individual dogs for sale between May 17, 2021, and July 30, 2023 – all without the required dog breeding license.
Despite previous advisories, Barton continued her breeding operations, leading to legal action by the County Council.
Sentencing | 12-month conditional discharge; ordered to pay £26,721.12 as well as £500 in costs and a £22 surcharge.
A real crim.Ripping off the country by avoiding taxation. No mention of the awful conditions she bred the pups in. Mind you,the twits that buy her stuff are as a guilty as her.
Wales really hasn’t tackled dog farming, too many people would be upset if it did.