Action taken against unlicensed animal breeders in successful court case

New Forest Council secures conviction over unlicensed dog breeding

A former Ringwood resident has been successfully prosecuted for breeding dogs without the required licence following what New Forest District Council described as a lengthy and complex investigation.

The investigation began after concerns were raised about suspected unlicensed breeding activity and animal welfare. Working alongside the RSPCA, council officers carried out enquiries and gathered evidence before bringing the case before the courts. The individual has since moved away from the district.

At a hearing on 14 October 2026, the defendant was found guilty of breeding dogs without a licence. The court imposed an 18-month community order, including 120 hours of unpaid work, and fines totalling £545.

New Forest District Council said animal activity licensing plays an important role in ensuring businesses carrying out regulated animal-related activities meet legal welfare standards and provide appropriate care for animals. The authority said it investigates reports of suspected breaches and takes enforcement action where appropriate.

Councillor Dan Poole, Portfolio Holder for Community, Safety and Wellbeing, said the outcome demonstrated the council’s commitment to enforcing legal standards designed to protect animal welfare. He added that the authority expects anyone operating a licensable animal breeding business to comply with all relevant legal requirements and would continue to investigate suspected breaches and take action where necessary.

The council also revealed that, in a separate case, it issued a fixed penalty notice to an individual operating a business breeding and selling kittens without the required licence. The penalty was set at £3,125, reduced to £1,563 if paid within 14 days.

New Forest District Council licenses a range of animal-related businesses, including dog breeders, boarding establishments, dog day care providers, cat boarding businesses, riding establishments, pet shops and animal exhibitors. The authority reminded residents that anyone running a licensable animal breeding business must obtain the appropriate animal activity licence and encouraged members of the public to report suspected unlicensed breeding activity.