UK's top Labradoodle breeder from Notts banned over welfare concerns

UK'S TOP LABRADOODLE BREEDER FROM NOTTS BANNED OVER WELFARE CONCERNS

A Nottinghamshire dog breeder has been convicted of animal welfare offences and banned from operating.

Tracey Hovel, who claimed to be the UK's top breeder of Labradoodles and earned more than £140,000 from her ‘Briemdoodles’ business, was found guilty of six offences under the 2018 Animal Welfare Licensing of Activities Involving Animals regulations.

An investigation initiated by Ashfield District Council after concerns were raised about the animals' welfare revealed that Hovel, formerly of Parkway, Sutton-in-Ashfield, and now living on Queen Street, Worksop, was guilty of overbreeding female dogs, failing to keep puppies with their mothers, neglecting to provide enrichment, and failing to ensure constant access to fresh, clean drinking water.

She was also found to have failed to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and parasites and neglected to supply the local authority with necessary documentation regarding her breeding and sales activities.

During her trial, it was revealed that Hovel is believed to have made over £140,000 from her business.

She was fined £800, ordered to pay £3,000 in costs, and a victim surcharge of £360.

Moreover, she has been disqualified from owning or dealing in animals, keeping or participating in the keeping of animals, and from being involved in any activity influencing the welfare of animals for five years, although she was permitted to keep one dog as a pet.