COURT FINES LUCIANDA AND VICTORIA ROLPH OVER ILLEGAL DOG BREEDING NEAR SOUTHAMPTON

Lucinda and Victoria Rolph, both involved in illegal puppy farming near Southampton, have faced court proceedings. Lucinda Rolph, born on June 14, 1966, and her daughter Victoria, born on March 22, 1989, operate out of Woodward Farm on Alma Lane, Upham, with the postcode SO32 1HE.

In 2020, Lucinda Rolph was convicted and ordered to pay £600,000 through a confiscation order after admitting to running an unlicensed dog breeding operation. Her daughter, Victoria, also pleaded guilty to the same offence but played a lesser role, and has been ordered to pay nearly £15,000.

Licensing officers from the local authority first discovered the operation in May 2015. They executed a warrant at their £600,000 farm near Southampton, where they found litters of puppies along with adult dogs. Despite being warned that a license was required for commercial breeding activity, the Rolphs continued to advertise dogs and puppies for sale—sometimes under different names—without obtaining the necessary licensing.

The pair drew further scrutiny after a miniature Dachshund they sold died weeks later due to canine parvovirus.

Prosecutor Ethu Crorie explained to the court how the Rolphs advertised 38 different dog breeds on platforms such as Pets4Homes and Preloved, with prices from £500 to £1,500 per animal. Mr. Crorie highlighted that there was no record of sales or receipts, and the pair lacked any proper tax documentation. The advertising accounts included several in their own names as well as 18 accounts registered under others’ names—some of which they knew, others unaware that their details were being used.

He added that if all dogs had been sold as advertised and no duplicate ads existed, the illegal profits from their activities could total up to £1.5 million.

Judge Henry, presiding over the case, commented on the violations during sentencing. He noted that Lucinda Rolph was warned about licensing requirements in 2015 and claimed she was considering giving up her breeding activities at that time. Despite her awareness, she failed to keep proper records and used false names to continue selling puppies and adult dogs.

As part of the sentence, Lucinda Rolph was ordered to pay £601,700 within three months, facing a five-year prison term if the amount was not settled. She was also fined £20,000 in costs and ordered to complete 60 hours of community service. Victoria Rolph was ordered to pay £14,950 within the same period or face six months in prison, alongside 60 hours of unpaid work.

Both women received a six-year ban from dog breeding. This case received coverage from the Daily Echo and the Daily Mail.