JAIMIE COLQUHOUN DUKE OF PUPPY TRAFFICKING IN DUNDEE AND ARBROATH

Jaimie Colquhoun, a woman from Dundee with a troubling history of animal trafficking, was found guilty of engaging in illegal puppy sales that spanned across multiple locations in Scotland. Born on February 21, 1991, and residing on Roseberry Street, Dundee DD2 2NS, Colquhoun became notorious for her involvement in the illegal trade of puppies sourced from Ireland, which she then sold through various online platforms and in public spaces.

Her activities came under intense scrutiny as part of a large-scale multi-agency operation known as Operation Delphin, aimed at dismantling puppy farming networks. Colquhoun was accused of repeatedly offering animals for sale via Gumtree, a popular online trading site, and arranging face-to-face transactions in public areas such as Dundee's supermarket car parks and the seafront in Arbroath. These sales were carried out without any proper licensing or veterinary checks, raising serious concerns about animal welfare and illegal breeding practices.

During police investigations, Colquhoun admitted that she maintained contact with an individual in Ireland, whom she only knew as Thomas. She claimed that Thomas would text her monthly, informing her of the breeds available, which she would then travel to Ireland by ferry as a foot passenger to collect litters of puppies. Once back in Scotland, she would list these puppies on Gumtree and conduct sales in public parking lots or at her own residence in Dundee. The breeds she sold included English Bulldogs, Pugs, and Morkies— a crossbreed between a Yorkshire Terrier and a Maltese. She confessed that she did not possess any official papers for the animals, nor did she have them checked by veterinarians before selling, except for one puppy that had an eye problem.

Further investigations revealed that some of the puppies had been transported from Hungary through intermediaries in Hertfordshire, indicating a complex and international supply chain. Colquhoun’s actions were deemed to be in direct violation of animal welfare laws, as she was found to be operating a business of selling puppies without the necessary licenses. She was also accused of keeping a pet shop illegally at her Dundee home between January 1, 2014, and July 13, 2015, and of selling animals at Pleasure Land in Arbroath and the Morrisons car park in Dundee.

At her trial, Colquhoun pleaded not guilty to three charges related to selling animals without a license. However, she was convicted of multiple offenses, including running an unlicensed pet business and keeping a pet shop illegally. Sheriff Gregor Murray sentenced her to a community payback order requiring 250 hours of unpaid work. The sheriff expressed that the maximum jail sentence of three months would not suffice as punishment, emphasizing the seriousness of her actions and their potential cruelty to animals. Unfortunately, legislation that could have prevented her from keeping animals was not yet in force, limiting the court’s ability to impose a ban.

During the sentencing, Sheriff Murray highlighted that Colquhoun’s involvement in unregulated dog sales was driven purely by financial motives, which contributed to the perpetuation of cruelty and unethical breeding practices. A Scottish SPCA spokesperson expressed disappointment that no ban was imposed but welcomed the court’s decision. They also called for increased maximum sentences for animal abuse cases, advocating for stronger legal measures to protect animals.

In addition to her Scottish convictions, Colquhoun faced legal trouble in Wales. In May 2019, she was convicted in Welsh courts on four charges related to violating the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order. Her troubles began in January 2017 when she was stopped by police at Holyhead Port after arriving from Ireland. Officers found her carrying seven Pomeranian puppies in a large bag, which she claimed contained her dogs. When asked for documentation, she admitted she had none. The puppies appeared to be in good condition but were crammed into containers with no water, raising concerns about their welfare.

Colquhoun stated she had collected the puppies from a man in County Meath for £1,500 and intended to give them to family members. She was allowed to continue her journey after the inspection. The court noted that carrying more than five dogs requires proper authorization under animal welfare regulations, which she did not possess. Previously, she had been stopped at Holyhead port with four puppies, but on that occasion, she was not required to have authorization. She was subsequently fined £1,000 per charge and ordered to pay costs of £889. Her repeated failures to comply with animal welfare laws and her involvement in illegal puppy trading highlight ongoing concerns about the regulation and enforcement of animal protection laws in the UK.