ANGELICA EVANGELISTA AND JAMES TRACEY CAUSE OUTRAGE IN CARRICKFERGUS WITH ILLEGAL DOG BREEDING SCHEME

In a significant crackdown on illegal animal breeding practices, authorities have brought charges against two individuals from Carrickfergus, Angelica Evangelista and James Tracey, for operating an unlicensed dog-breeding business from their residence at 66 Broadlands Gardens. The case highlights ongoing concerns about unregulated breeding operations and animal welfare violations in the region.

Angelica Evangelista, born on January 5, 1973, and James Tracey, born on October 15, 1980, faced legal action following an investigation initiated by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. Evangelista pleaded guilty to five counts of running a breeding establishment without the necessary license, while Tracey was convicted in his absence on the same charges. The charges were brought under the provisions of The Welfare of Animals (Dog Breeding Establishment and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (NI) 2013, which aim to regulate and oversee dog breeding activities to ensure animal welfare standards are maintained.

Authorities' investigation was triggered by a visit from enforcement officers to the property in June 2022, prompted by reports that puppies were being sold directly from the premises. During the inspection, officers discovered a total of 16 dogs on the property, all of which were unlicensed. Among these were three eight-week-old blue Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppies and four seven-month-old blue Staffordshire Bull Terriers. The remaining dogs on the property were female, raising concerns about the scale and nature of the breeding operation.

Further investigation linked the property to a Facebook page titled ‘A & J Dream Puppies,’ which was actively advertising and supplying puppies. The page indicated that at least five litters had been sold within a year, suggesting a commercial operation that was operating without the required licensing. The business, which has been active since 1998 according to its online presence, claims to provide puppies that come with their first vaccination, relevant documentation, and veterinary checks. It also states that it supplies puppies across the UK and the Irish Republic.

Following the legal proceedings, Evangelista received a 12-month conditional discharge and was ordered to pay £23 in summons fees along with £250 in legal costs. James Tracey was fined a total of £1,000 for the five offences and was also ordered to pay £23 in summons fees and £250 in legal costs. Importantly, neither individual was prohibited from owning animals in the future, raising concerns among animal welfare advocates about the potential for repeat offenses.

The case underscores the ongoing efforts by local authorities to clamp down on illegal breeding operations and protect animal welfare in Northern Ireland. The authorities continue to monitor and investigate such cases to prevent unregulated and potentially harmful breeding practices from endangering animals and misleading consumers.