ASHLEIGH PRICE'S ILLEGAL DOG BREEDING SCHEME IN LLWYNHENDY EXPOSED

Ashleigh Price, a resident of Llwynhendy near Llanelli, has been convicted for operating an illegal dog breeding operation that spanned over a year and a half. Born on January 8, 1997, Price resided at 35 Parc Richard in Llwynhendy, a location that became central to the investigation into his activities.

Between April 2020 and November 2021, Price engaged in the sale of puppies through online platforms such as Gumtree and Free Ads. During this period, he managed to sell ten litters of puppies, despite the fact that advertising for the sale of three or more litters within a 12-month period without a proper dog breeding license is illegal under current regulations. His activities generated substantial income, with estimates suggesting he earned between £34,000 and £57,000 over the 16 months.

The illegal operation came to light after Carmarthenshire Council officers received an anonymous tip-off indicating that Price had established kennels on his property at Parc Richard. Upon visiting the site, authorities discovered multiple online accounts linked to Price and his wife, Courtney Price. Investigations revealed four accounts registered in Ashleigh’s name and two in Courtney’s, all used to advertise various breeds, including Jack Russells, Labradors, Cocker Spaniels, and West Highland Terriers.

Most of the advertisements claimed that the puppies were family pets, which is a common tactic used to mask the commercial nature of the sales. During court proceedings, Price admitted to earning a significant sum from these sales, specifically between £34,000 and £57,000, and explained that his motivation was driven by financial hardship, as he was only receiving £120 weekly in benefits.

He further stated that he operated alone in setting up the online accounts and that some of the dogs were given away to family and friends. Price also claimed that he did not keep detailed records of the sale prices for the puppies, making it difficult to verify the exact amount earned from each transaction.

In sentencing, the court imposed a fine of £500 on Price, along with an order to pay costs amounting to £750 and a victim surcharge of £50. The case highlights ongoing concerns about illegal dog breeding and the importance of regulation to prevent such activities that can compromise animal welfare and deceive consumers.