A CARMARTHENSHIRE dog breeder has been ordered to pay more than £100,000 after operating without a licence.

The judge, Recorder David Regan, said Deborah Thomas was “well aware of the requirement to register” as a dog breeder, but still continued to offend.

Thomas, 61, of Llanddarog Road in Llanddarog, faced one charge of carrying on activities without a Section 13 (Animal Welfare Act) licence, relating to illegally breeding nine litters of puppies between May 2021 and August 2022.

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Prosecutor Lee Reynolds said Thomas had advertised the puppies on “a number of websites”, and had even been in contact with the Kennel Club about the dogs.

Ieuan Rees, defending, said there were no suggestion of cruelty or neglect towards the puppies.

“It purely is a regulatory offence,” he said.

He told the court that Thomas apologised to the court for not adhering to the proper process, and added that she had been going through a “very traumatic divorce” at the time.

“You were well aware of the requirement to register during that period of time,” Recorder Regan said.

Addressing Thomas, he acknowledged there was “no suggestion at all that the welfare of your animals was compromised” and added that she had later been granted a dog breeding licence by Carmarthenshire County Council – which she still currently holds.

He said Thomas’ failure to properly register as a breeder had “taken resources away from the safeguarding of animals elsewhere”.

A benefit figure of £90,000 was agreed based off of Thomas’ offending, and a confiscation order was made for the full amount. She must also pay the prosecution costs of £10,000 and a £1,000 fine and a £100 victim surcharge.

If she doesn’t pay back the money, she faces 21 months in prison.