Farmer made £68k illegally breeding puppies near Llanelli

A Carmarthenshire farmer has been ordered to pay back £10,000 – all his available assets – after making more than £68,000 from illegally breeding and selling puppies online in poor conditions.

John Gibbon, 67, of Five Ways, Llanelli, bred dogs without a licence at his farm near Llanelli between January 2019 and May 2022, housing them in makeshift pens in poorly ventilated outhouses with little access to water or proper exercise.

RSPCA officers first visited Gibbon’s farm in July 2021 following reports of dogs being bred on site in poor conditions. Swansea Crown Court heard that officers were shown around by the defendant and his daughter Nia, who told them she was in the process of applying for a licence.

Despite initial advice on improvements needed, follow-up visits showed little progress. Over five months, RSPCA inspectors, vets and Carmarthenshire Council animal welfare officers made repeated visits but found conditions remained inadequate, prompting formal enforcement action.

The 67-year-old admitted he had been breeding dogs and selling them through online adverts. A financial investigation revealed he had made £68,274 from the illegal trade, though the exact number of puppies bred and sold remains unknown.

Gibbon pleaded guilty to breeding dogs without a licence, contrary to section 13 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The prosecution against his daughter was discontinued and she was issued with a caution. Gibbon has no previous convictions.

The court heard that proceeds of crime amounts had been agreed, with the benefit figure settled at £68,274 but available assets set at just £10,000.

His defence barrister James Hartson told the court that Gibbon receives a modest state pension and modest income as a self-employed farmer, and would need to sell livestock to meet the £10,000 confiscation order. He confirmed his client had no intention of returning to dog breeding.

Judge Huw Rees imposed a 12-month conditional discharge, noting the defendant’s age, previous good character, and the lengthy period of offending. He made a Proceeds of Crime Act confiscation order of £10,000, giving Gibbon three months to pay with six months imprisonment in default.

The judge also ordered Gibbon to pay £15,000 in costs to Carmarthenshire Council, but exceptionally allowed payment at £250 per month, meaning it will take five years to clear the full amount.