Gloucestershire councillor banned from dealing with animals

Alastair Chambers pleaded guilty to breeding and selling dogs without a licence from his farm in June 2022

A councillor who ran an illegal puppy breeding farm from his home in Gloucester has been banned from dealing with animals for 10 years.

Alastair Chambers, 42, pleaded guilty to breeding and selling dogs without a licence in court in June 2022.

More than 25 dogs were found inside "polytunnel" structures when his farm was raided by police in July 2020.

Chambers was also made the subject of an 18-month order of 150 hours unpaid work at Bristol Crown Court.

The 42-year-old, of Manor Way, Quedgeley, Gloucester, admitted two Animal Welfare Act offences of breeding and selling dogs without a licence after he appeared in court in 2022.

Chambers has been disqualified from dealing with animals, being involved with dealing with animals, dealing with the transportation of animals and being involved in the transportation of animals.

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 standards set out to ensure the welfare of the animals. 

"Anyone who is not following these rules and is breeding without a licence risks investigation and ultimately prosecution."

Chambers sits as an independent on both Gloucester City Council and Gloucestershire County Council, having previously been a Conservative.

Correction 21 December: A previous version of this article said Chambers was banned from having animals, which we have since corrected.