Two unlicensed dog breeders advertised 44 puppies for sale in less than two years.

George Smith, 40, and his wife Nadine Smith, 34, were also banned from keeping dogs for five years after being caught out by Darlington Council’s licensing team. The couple pleaded guilty to an offence of unlicensed breeding at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on August 1.

The court heard that licensing team was alerted that the couple were advertising puppies for sale from their property but did not have a licence to do so. Following an investigation, licensing officers found that between September 2020 and June 2022 the couple had advertised a total of 44 puppies and one adult dog, which were being sold as they were ‘moving abroad’.

READ MORE: Thug ‘threw’ ex-girlfriend on floor three times leaving her with fractured rib

The criminal duo, of Burma Road, Darlington, were slapped with a court bill of £850 when they appeared for sentencing. They were each fined £250, and ordered to pay £75 costs and a £100 victim surcharge.

Councillor Amanda Riley, the council’s cabinet member for stronger communities, said: “Regulations were introduced in 2018 to ensure that the welfare of the animals is paramount and to protect the public from unscrupulous breeders. Buying from an unlicensed breeder can allow criminals to make a profit on the back of animal suffering, without qualified animal welfare inspectors being able to check on the dogs’ health.

“You wouldn’t go to a restaurant for a meal and a drink if it had a zero star rating or no licence – so why would you pay hundreds of pounds for a dog from an unlicensed breeder? Our licensing team will continue to clampdown on unlicensed breeders and would urge anyone with concerns or information to contact them.”

The law states that if you earn more than £1,000 from the sale of dogs you are likely to be classed as a business that requires a licence and, at today’s prices, the sale of one puppy can often exceed that limit.

The process of licensing a breeder includes a visit by a qualified animal welfare inspector and check by a vet to ensure the animals are being treated well and living in appropriate conditions. They are also given a star rating enabling purchasers to make an informed choice when buying a puppy.