Councillor who sold puppies without licence handed £50k confiscation order

A councillor in Gloucester has been ordered to pay £49,823.36 for selling puppies without a licence.

Cllr Alistair Chambers, an Independent Conservative for Coney Hill and Matson on Gloucestershire County Council and Community Independent Group member for Matson and Robinswood on Gloucester City Council, was told to pay the money to the city council within six months or risk a prison sentence of up to three years.

A confiscation order, under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, was made last week (12 June) at Gloucester Crown Court by His Honour Judge Lawrie.

On June 30, 2022, Chambers pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act of breeding dogs without a licence and selling pets without a licence between June 2020 and May 2021.

According to the BBC, more than 25 dogs were found inside "polytunnel" structures when his farm was raided by police in July 2020.

In December 2023, he was sentenced to an 18 Month Community Order with 150 hours unpaid work to be undertaken within 12 months and ten days rehabilitation activity.

Cllr Chambers was also disqualified from dealing with animals including transporting them for ten years, the council revealed.

A spokesperson for Gloucester City Council, said: “As the licensing authority it is our responsibility to ensure that anyone who breeds dogs complies with all of the regulations, which are there to ensure the welfare of these animals.

“We hope that this case will serve as a deterrent to anyone who is thinking of breeding animals without the proper facilities and paperwork in place. Anyone who is not following these rules risks investigation and ultimately prosecution.”