A woman has been given a community service order and must pay penalties of almost £3,000 after breeding dogs illegally.

Edith Nixon of Monkton Close, Stanhope, Ashford, pleaded guilty to the offences when she appeared before magistrates in Folkestone.

The case was brought by Ashford Borough Council (ABC) under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

After receiving a complaint from a purchaser of one of Nixon’s dogs, the council’s licensing team investigated and found she had been responsible for breeding at least 10 litters of Pomeranian pups between 2020 and 2022 – without holding an animal activity licence for dog breeding.

When questioned, she admitted some of the puppies had died due to a lack of milk, and she showed a lack of basic care or knowledge which could have prevented the suffering and deaths of the pups.

When the dogs had appeared subdued and lethargic because they were dehydrated, she failed to act, and she had had no process in place to monitor the pups’ healthy growth and food intake through regular weighing.

Nixon, who advertised her dogs through social media, was given a community service order of 100 hours of unpaid work.

She was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £114 and to pay the council’s costs of £2,701.

ABC’s cabinet member for communities and health, Liz Wright, said: “This case sends a clear message that the council will not tolerate the flouting of licensing laws that regulate this sector.

“The checks, inspections, and monitoring associated with licensing help to ensure that premises are suitable for dog breeding, that the licensee is competent, and that the welfare of the dogs and pups is not compromised through the breeding activity.

“It also acts to give buyers confidence that the pets they purchase come from a reputable breeder, who is subject to routine and unannounced inspection.”

Speaking after the court case, RSPCA Kent chief inspector Nick Wheelhouse said: “Puppies have become a valuable commodity and, unfortunately, that has attracted people who want to exploit them in order to make profit.”

‘Sadly, some breeders do not prioritise the health and welfare of their dogs...’

“Sadly, some breeders do not prioritise the health and welfare of their dogs, and unsuspecting members of the public unknowingly buy puppies who are sick.

"We'd urge anyone who is thinking of getting a dog to consider taking on a rescue instead of buying a puppy.”

Potential buyers can check whether a dog breeder has a licence, and how many stars they were awarded (between one and five), by checking the public register of the district council where the breeder lives.

In Ashford that can be viewed here.