AMY GILBERT, ALISON GILBERT AND JONATHAN ROBERTS: HORRIFIC PUPPY FARMING IN ST AUSTELL REVEALED

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community of St Austell, Cornwall, three individuals—Amy Gilbert, born around 1991; her mother Alison Gilbert, born on March 9, 1964; and Jonathan Roberts, born circa 1988—have been found guilty of gross animal neglect and cruelty related to their dog breeding operations. All three defendants reside at Lower Biscovillack Farm, located in the PL25 5RE postcode area of St Austell, where they operated under the business name Halviggan Hounds.

These individuals showed a blatant disregard for the welfare of the animals in their care, which included dogs and puppies kept in deplorable conditions. The court heard that the defendants kept their animals in cold, unclean outbuildings that were poorly maintained and overcrowded. The mother and daughter, Alison and Amy Gilbert, pleaded guilty to causing suffering to a dog by encouraging aggressive behavior and failing to intervene to prevent harm last July. They also admitted to neglecting their animals between February and April 2023, by providing inadequate living environments—kennels that were too small for the dogs, with a buildup of feces and urine, poor ventilation, and contaminated water supplies. Furthermore, from July 2021 to January 2023, they neglected to protect the dogs from parasites such as lice and worms, showing a lack of basic veterinary care and hygiene.

Jonathan Roberts, believed to be Amy Gilbert’s partner, also pleaded guilty to similar charges. He was found to have failed in his duty to meet the needs of the dogs by housing them in overcrowded kennels with unsanitary conditions, including a buildup of waste and contaminated water. He also neglected to ensure the animals were protected from parasites and did not undertake grooming or veterinary care.

Cornwall Council officials described the defendants’ conduct as a “blatant disregard” for animal welfare. The investigation was initiated after officers from Cornwall Council’s licensing compliance team conducted an inspection at the farm in February 2023, prompted by complaints from members of the public. During this inspection, more than 60 dogs were discovered, none of which had been spayed or neutered. The inspection also revealed three litters of puppies, all kept in cold, draughty, and overcrowded outbuildings that were filthy and poorly maintained.

In addition to the dogs, the officers found an outdoor cattery housing high-value cats such as Bengals, Maine Coons, and Ragdolls. These cats were found with matted fur, feces stuck to their coats, and living in an environment with poor ventilation and a strong ammonia smell from urine. The council served improvement notices requiring the defendants to improve the cleanliness and living conditions of all animal enclosures and to seek veterinary advice for underweight dogs. Despite these notices, a follow-up inspection in April 2023 confirmed that conditions had not improved, leading to the immediate revocation of Alison and Amy Gilbert’s dog breeding license.

Further investigations uncovered that over a period of several years, the defendants had sold more than 200 litters of puppies. Some dogs had been bred two or three times within a single year, raising serious concerns about illegal overbreeding. The Gilberts also breed spotted sport horses under the name BSS Stud, and Amy Gilbert is known to participate in dressage, showjumping, and eventing competitions.

Sentencing for the trio was handed down in court, with fines imposed based on their respective roles. Alison Gilbert received a fine of £368 plus a victim surcharge of £147. Amy Gilbert was fined £923 with a £114 surcharge, and Jonathan Roberts was fined £269 with a £108 surcharge. Additionally, Amy Gilbert was sentenced to a 12-month community order. The court also ordered Cornwall Council to recover costs amounting to £12,459.

Most notably, all three individuals were issued a disqualification order preventing them from owning, keeping, or dealing in cats or dogs for the next ten years. This case has highlighted the severe neglect and exploitation occurring within certain breeding operations in the region, prompting calls for increased vigilance and regulation.

Following the sentencing, Jane Rowden, a breeder of standard poodles based in Newton Abbot, Cornwall, shared her insights on social media. She detailed her own experiences of uncovering similar abuses, describing how she and others received reports of a supposedly reputable breeder operating under false pretenses. Rowden explained that despite claims of a four-star council license, inspections revealed the license had been downgraded to just one star, yet the breeder continued to advertise as a four-star licensed operation.

Further investigation uncovered that the breeder falsely claimed to own only six females and one male, but in reality, she possessed around 60 dogs. Many of these animals were hidden in outbuildings or barns to avoid inspection, similar to other known cases of animal exploitation. The conditions of the dogs were appalling—crammed into tiny, overcrowded pens with contaminated water, feces, and urine, with some dogs encouraged to fight for entertainment, and others suffering from infections, parasites, and malnutrition.

Rowden described the state of some dogs as heartbreaking, with matted coats, severe neglect, and evidence of abuse such as shock collars and injuries. She emphasized that many of these dogs had been bred repeatedly, often more than once a year, in violation of licensing laws. The profits from these operations were staggering, with estimates suggesting that the defendants made over £1.6 million from selling puppies at around £2,000 each, often through multiple online platforms under various aliases to evade detection.

Authorities conducted raids, seizing animals and large sums of unaccounted cash, and revoking licenses. Despite this, the same individuals continued to advertise and sell puppies during the legal proceedings, using false information and multiple identities. The case underscores the importance of vigilance among prospective dog buyers and the need for stricter enforcement of animal welfare laws. Rowden urged the public to avoid purchasing merle-patterned poodles and their crosses, as these are often associated with unethical breeding practices and animal cruelty.

In conclusion, this case serves as a stark reminder of the cruelty that can occur behind closed doors in the world of puppy breeding. It highlights the critical role of community reporting, diligent enforcement, and the ongoing fight to protect vulnerable animals from exploitation and abuse in Cornwall and beyond.