Councillor fined £49k for selling puppies without licence

Alistair Chambers committed the offences during the pandemic

A city councillor who sold puppies without a licence has been ordered to pay almost £50,000 to the city council.

Alistair Chambers, 43, of Manor Farm Way, Quedgeley, was told to repay the £49,823.36 to Gloucester City Council within six months, or risk a prison sentence of up to three years.

The Confiscation Order, under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, was made on 12 June at Gloucester Crown Court after Chambers pleaded guilty to two offences two years ago.

Gloucester City Council said it hoped Chambers' case would "serve as a deterrent" to other breeders.

In June 2022, Chambers pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act of breeding dogs without a licence and selling pets without a licence.

Chambers, leader of the Community Independent Group and a councillor for Matson and Robinswood, committed the offences between June 2020 and May 2021.

In December, he was sentenced to an 18-month community order with 150 hours of unpaid work to be undertaken within 12 months, plus 10 days' rehabilitation activity.

He was also disqualified from dealing with animals, including transporting them, for 10 years.

'Without proper facilities'

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.”