JEDD WIEGOLD FROM MACHEN SENTENCED FOR CRUEL EAR-CROPPING AND UNLICENSED DOG BREEDING IN CAERPHILLY

Jedd Wiegold, a resident of Machen, Caerphilly, has been found guilty of serious animal cruelty and illegal dog breeding activities. Born on 27 February 1989, Wiegold was prosecuted following a detailed investigation conducted by Caerphilly Council’s Trading Standards team, which was prompted by information received from Welsh police regarding his involvement in unlicensed dog breeding and ear cropping practices.

Evidence presented during the case revealed that Wiegold had been actively breeding and selling American Bully puppies for a period spanning at least two years. His operations were carried out under the business name Wild Tri Bullys, through which he advertised his puppies on popular social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. The advertisements showcased multiple litters and breeding bitches, with some of the puppies being sold at prices ranging from £4,000 to as much as £10,000, indicating a lucrative enterprise.

Further investigation uncovered that Wiegold owned, bred, and promoted over three breeding bitches during the period from March 2019 to March 2020. The evidence also included data from his mobile phone, which suggested that he was involved in orchestrating the mutilation of puppies through ear cropping procedures. It was established that the actual cropping was performed by an unidentified third party, but Wiegold’s involvement in arranging or causing the procedure was clear.

One of the most disturbing aspects of the case was the evidence indicating that Wiegold had mutilated puppies’ ears, a practice that is illegal and considered inhumane. The investigation highlighted the cruelty involved in such procedures, which are often performed without proper veterinary oversight or anesthesia.

Caerphilly Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Protection, Councillor Nigel George, expressed his concern over the case, stating, “Demand for fashionable breeds of puppies is always high, so it can be a very lucrative business. We are pleased with the outcome of the sentencing and we hope that it will serve as a warning to other criminals who are looking to take advantage of animals for financial profit. If anyone has any information on potential unlicensed breeders, please contact our Trading Standards or Licensing teams.”

As a result of his conviction, Wiegold was disqualified from owning, keeping, or transporting dogs until 2032. He appeared before Newport Magistrates Court on 11 January 2022, where he received a custodial sentence of five months for each of five separate offences related to unlicensed dog breeding and animal mutilation, with all sentences to be served concurrently. It is noteworthy that Wiegold is already serving a 10-year prison term for drug trafficking. His disqualification from owning or keeping dogs will last for ten years, although he has the option to apply for restrictions to be lifted after seven years.

This case underscores the ongoing efforts by authorities to clamp down on illegal and inhumane dog breeding practices, especially those driven by profit and fashion trends. The authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspected unlicensed breeders to help protect animal welfare and prevent such cruelty from continuing.