Pair sentenced for running unlicenced dog breeding business and animal cruelty
15/09/2025
They have been banned from keeping dogs in the future
Two people who were caught running a dog breeding business in the Banbury area have been given suspended prison sentences and fined for unlicensed dog breeding and animal cruelty.
At Oxford Magistrates Court Sonia Black of Banbury and Jason Walsh of Reading were accused of breeding dogs and advertising a business selling dogs without a licence, along with animal cruelty.
The court heard that the pair had bred and sold at least 116 puppies illegally. In one instance, a Doberman in their care went into labour and they did not seek veterinary support for over 12 hours. This resulted in one puppy being born deceased and unnecessary suffering to the mother.
The offences occurred between January 2019 and August 2024.
On Friday (September 12) Black and Walsh were sentenced to 22 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months. They were given 100 hours of unpaid work and a £4,154 fine each after pleading guilty to two offences.
The case was brought to court following an investigation by Cherwell District Council’s licensing team.
Councillor Rob Parkinson, Portfolio Holder for Safer Communities, said: “Unlicensed dog breeders and sellers have no place in our community. Their presence is detrimental to animals under their care and residents who unknowingly purchase their pets from them.
“This case is horrendous and highlights the devastating consequences of people illegally breeding dogs. Unlicensed breeders and premises are not inspected and therefore not regulated to the standards required by the Animal Welfare Act. Not meeting such standards can put pets and people at risk of harm and, consequently, purchasers at risk of emotional distress and financial harm.
“I would like to thank our licensing team for successfully shutting down this operation and preventing any other dogs from coming to harm at the hands of the two defendants.”
The judge also handed down a ban to Black and Walsh, preventing them from keeping dogs.
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
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