A greedy mother and her two daughters who made £125,000 by running an illegal puppy farm during lockdown and selling dozens of dogs which they kept in ‘atrocious’ conditions have been spared jail.
Julie Pearce, 57, Rosalie Pearce, 33, and Kaylie Adams, 24, sold puppies on websites including Gumtree amid a boom in demand for pet dogs during the Covid pandemic.
A court heard that the trio kept their dogs in ‘atrocious’ conditions in filthy rooms at home, covered in facese and urine and many malnourished and underweight. More than 50 dogs were thankfully saved when police, RSPCA officers and council officials raided the home.
Prosecutors said the family ran an ‘extensive and unlicensed dog breeding’ business selling the animals online and pocketed around £125,000.
One Shih Tzu-cross puppy was described falsely online as ‘raised in our busy family home’ and whose mother was their ‘loved family pet’. Its buyer paid £2,000 for the dog as a pet for her mother and said she would never have bought it if she knew it came from a puppy farm.
Cardiff Crown Court heard Julie Pearce was behind the business, despite moving from Wales to Gran Canaria and leaving her daughters to deal with its day-to-day running.
Rosalie Pearce (left) and Kaylie Adams (right) sold puppies together with their mother on websites including Gumtree amid a boom in demand for pet dogs during the pandemic
Horrifying images show the appalling conditions that the dogs were kept in
All three, of Fochriw, near Caerphilly, South Wales, admitted running an unlicensed dog breeding business and engaging in unfair commercial practices. Rosalie Pearce and Kaylie Adams also admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and failing to meet their welfare needs.
Barristers for all three defendants said the family members were genuinely remorseful for what had happened.
Judge David Wynne Morgan said the operation had been motivated by ‘greed’ and the dogs were left in an ‘appalling’ condition.
Rosalie Pearce and Kaylie Adams were handed 56 week suspended sentences and ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work. Julie Pearce was sentenced to 42 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months. All three defendants were banned from keeping animals for the next 10 years. A Proceeds of Crime Act investigation will now be launched into their finances.
Speaking after the sentencing Philippa Leonard, Caerphilly Council’s cabinet member for public protection, said: ‘Sadly unlicensed breeders often prioritise profit over animal welfare.
‘Unlicensed dog breeding is a serious matter and it is hoped that the outcome of this case will serve as a strong deterrent to those who operate in this manner.
Julie Pearce with her two daughters Rosalie Pearce and Kaylie Adams
The dogs were kept in horrific conditions at the illegal puppy farm
‘Animal welfare is a priority in Caerphilly and we will not hesitate to seek out and take action against anyone who flouts the law.
‘Proceeds of Crime Act investigations and civil orders for reclaiming the costs of housing and caring for any seized dogs will also be pursued in addition to prosecution and disqualification orders.
‘If anyone is concerned or suspicious of illegal dog breeding please contact our trading standards or licensing teams. Your information will help us tackle illegal puppy breeding in Caerphilly and will help stop animals being exploited by unscrupulous breeders.’
The dogs rescued were taken in by charity Hope Rescue who said they have all now been rehomed.
Operations manager Sara Rosser, said: ‘It was shocking to see so many dogs living in such awful conditions. The majority needed to be completely clipped off by our staff at the centre because their coats were so matted in faeces and urine and many were covered in fleas. Some of the dogs were also pregnant or feeding young puppies and needed additional care.
‘After living such sheltered lives many of the dogs also needed extra support in learning about normal dog things such as walking on a lead, travelling in a car and house training.
‘We are pleased to say that all of the dogs have now gone on to find wonderful homes where they have become much loved family members and able to live the lives they deserve.’