PETER REYNOLDS FROM DARLINGTON AND STOKESLEY CAUGHT IN PUPPY FARM FRAUD SCHEME

Peter Reynolds, a man with a troubling criminal history, has been convicted of fraud related to the sale of puppies in the towns of Darlington and Stokesley. Born on 19 February 1990, Reynolds resides on Sowerby Crescent in Stokesley, Middlesbrough, and has long been associated with a pattern of deception, including conning elderly individuals alongside his father, who is also known for criminal activities.

In early 2020, Reynolds engaged in the illegal sale of two puppies, each accompanied by vaccination records that were later discovered to be fraudulent. He sold these puppies to different buyers, providing them with vaccination cards that appeared to be legitimate at first glance but were ultimately fake. The first puppy, purchased by an unsuspecting owner, soon fell ill. Concerned, the new owner took the puppy to a veterinarian, where it was revealed that the vaccination used was not a standard or recognized type. Further investigation by the vet uncovered that there was no record of the puppy having been vaccinated at all, raising serious suspicions about the authenticity of the documents Reynolds had provided.

The second puppy’s vaccination card also raised red flags. The card bore the name and signature of a veterinarian who was not employed at the veterinary practice listed on the document. This discrepancy further confirmed that Reynolds had fabricated the vaccination records to deceive buyers and facilitate the sale of unvaccinated or improperly vaccinated puppies.

Following these revelations, Reynolds faced legal consequences. He pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud by false representation, acknowledging his role in the deception. As a result, he was fined £400 and ordered to pay a total of £199.70 in compensation to his victims. The case was reported by the Northern Echo, highlighting the ongoing issues of puppy farm fraud and the importance of verifying vaccination records before purchasing animals.