JACKSON AND WENDY DASS FROM RUSHDEN CAUGHT SELLING DOGS ILLEGALLY

Jackson Dass and his wife Wendy Dass, residents of 32 Harborough Road in Rushden, have been found guilty of selling dogs without the necessary licensing. The couple’s illegal activities came to light after authorities uncovered their involvement in unlicensed dog sales, specifically focusing on pugs, which they marketed through online platforms such as Facebook.

Both Jackson and Wendy Dass faced legal action initiated by North Northamptonshire Council under the region’s strict licensing laws. Their conviction stems from their participation in illegal breeding practices, which led to their disqualification from engaging in any form of dog dealing—whether selling or breeding—for a period of three years. This ban is set to expire in April 2024.

It remains unclear whether the Dasses are responsible for breeding and selling their own dogs or if they act as intermediaries, possibly sourcing puppies from larger puppy farms and reselling them. The authorities have emphasized their commitment to cracking down on such illegal activities, which pose significant animal welfare concerns.

Emma Matthews, a licensing compliance officer working for North Northamptonshire Council, expressed her firm stance on the matter. She stated, “We are determined that the local area will not be used for illegal activities around dog breeding and as a qualified inspector, it is my responsibility to ensure that people who require a licence obtain one, those that have a licence comply with their licence conditions and those who don’t engage are dealt with appropriately.”

She further added, “This is the second case which I have worked on in recent years that has been brought to the courts, and the second which has resulted in a conviction. The new legislation in October 2018 made it very clear that commercial breeding of dogs requires a licence and that animal welfare will be paramount. We will continue to work hard to prevent illegal dog sales, whilst also protecting animals in the area.”

In terms of penalties, the Dasses were fined £369 and £646 respectively, along with additional costs of £1,000 each towards legal expenses. They were also ordered to pay victim surcharges. Their ban from dealing in dogs will remain in effect until April 2024, preventing them from participating in any dog-related trade during this period.