JAYNE BOWERMAN'S PUPPY FARMING SCAM IN EBBW VALE EXPOSED AND SHUT DOWN

In a significant crackdown on illegal puppy trading, Jayne Bowerman, a resident of Ebbw Vale, was found guilty of multiple offences related to her deceptive pet sales practices. Born on January 9, 1961, Bowerman operated a business at 4 Ty Meddyg, Ebbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent NP23 5FP, under the guise of a private breeder, but investigations revealed her to be running a commercial puppy farm.

Bowerman was convicted after pleading guilty to nine separate charges following a detailed investigation conducted by Blaenau Gwent Trading Standards Service. The probe uncovered that she had been falsely advertising puppies as being bred at home, when in reality, her operation, known as Tyr Meddyg Pups, was a licensed pet shop. This business was a family enterprise, with her husband Lee Bowerman, born on July 21, 1958, and their children involved in related trades. Her son Jack Bowerman, who trades as Trenewydd Welsh Cobs and is also involved in puppy trading, frequently posted advertisements for litters on Facebook and other online platforms.

One of the key issues identified was Bowerman’s deliberate concealment of her business’s true nature. She used false names and contact addresses when placing advertisements on websites such as Freeads.co.uk, a platform that explicitly prohibits pet shops from advertising. This misrepresentation was designed to give the impression that she was a private breeder, allowing her to attract customers under false pretenses.

Many complaints from customers began to surface as early as June 2019. These individuals believed they were purchasing puppies directly from a private breeder and expected to see the mother dog in person. However, they later discovered that the business was a licensed pet shop, and in many cases, they were unable to view the mother or verify the origins of the puppies. Several customers stated they would not have contacted Bowerman had they known the true nature of her operation.

Richard Crook, the corporate director for public protection at Blaenau Gwent Council, emphasized the importance of transparency in pet sales. He stated, “Adverts must provide prospective customers with clear and accurate information about the product, in this case, the animal, and about the type or nature of the business that is offering the pet for sale. The Trading Standards investigation revealed that Bowerman did not do this and deliberately misled customers.”

During court proceedings, Bowerman’s defense attorney, Patrick Smith, claimed that she had ceased advertising after becoming aware of the investigation. He also alleged that her business had faced threats and intimidation, and that some of her adverts had been cloned or copied by malicious parties. Despite these claims, Bowerman was found guilty of eight charges related to unfair commercial practices and one charge for misleading omissions in her advertising.

As a result, she was fined £4,500, ordered to pay £10,000 in legal costs, and faced a victim surcharge of £181. The case drew attention to the ongoing issue of illegal puppy farming and the importance of consumer protection laws. Cllr Joanna Wilkins, the executive member for the environment at Blaenau Gwent Council, commented on the case, saying, “This was a lengthy and challenging Trading Standards investigation where victims were misled by the practices of Bowerman. The case illustrates the importance that puppy purchasers know the origin and home environment of the animal they are purchasing.”

She further explained that Bowerman’s business had operated under false pretenses, often using fake names and disguising her true identity on advertising platforms. The case also coincided with the implementation of Lucy’s Law in Wales on September 10, which now makes it illegal to sell puppies or kittens unless they are sold directly by the original breeder. This legislation aims to protect consumers and combat third-party sales linked to puppy farming, ensuring greater transparency and animal welfare in the pet trade.