Man banned from keeping dogs for life

Edward Rafferty was sentenced at Gloucester Crown Court on 27 September

A man has been banned from keeping dogs for life after pleading guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to them.

Edward Rafferty was sentenced to 22 months in prison at Gloucester Crown Court, suspended for 18 months, and handed an animal disqualification order, on 27 September.

He previously pleaded guilty to offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Rafferty was also sentenced to 200 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £151,241.50 under the Proceeds of Crime Act - his estimated profit from the illegal sales of dogs.

The prosecution was brought after Forest of Dean District Council's counter fraud and enforcement unit investigated allegations that Rafferty had been breeding dogs without a licence.

On 20 June, he pleaded guilty to offences of failing to meet an animal's needs, causing unnecessary suffering to dogs, selling dogs without a licence, and boarding dogs without a licence.

The 31-year-old, from Chaxhill, also pleaded guilty to an offence relating to the Fraud Act 2006, and to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

Council staff and police executed a warrant at a premises in May 2023.

A commercial dog breeding enterprise was discovered with commercial kennels at the rear of the property, and a "substantial" amount of cash seized.

False adverts for the sale of puppies were placed on online marketplaces.

The adverts gave the impression that the seller was selling dogs from a family home and that he was a reputable breeder.

The adverts reported that the puppies were raised in a caring family home, and were all vet checked.

Forest of Dean District Council said anyone with animal welfare concerns in the district should e-mail [e-mail].