TONICHA GRADY'S ILLEGAL PUPPY BUSINESS IN CARLISLE EXPOSED AND CONVICTED
Tonicha Grady, born on June 3, 1996, and most recently residing on Newlaithes Avenue in Morton, Carlisle, has been found guilty of operating an unlicensed puppy trading enterprise.The court proceedings revealed that Grady had previously run her dog breeding business legally, having paid the necessary fees to obtain a license from Cumberland Council, which cost £430.
This license required her to have her dogs and their living conditions inspected by a veterinarian to ensure their health and welfare were maintained.
However, after fulfilling these requirements, Grady allowed her license to lapse without renewing it.
Despite this, she continued to sell Staffordshire bull terrier puppies illegally from February 2022 through January 2024.
During this period, she advertised four batches of puppies on the popular Pets4Homes website and also promoted her business through her Instagram account.
Prosecutor Jonathan Farnworth emphasized that Grady’s actions involved misrepresenting herself as a licensed breeder, which the Crown argued was a dishonest practice.
It was noted that there were no welfare issues associated with the puppies or the conditions in which they were kept, indicating that her illegal activities did not compromise the animals’ well-being.
The court heard that Grady’s puppy sales were quite profitable, with her turnover estimated to be between £33,000 and £38,000 during the period in question.
In June 2022, she advertised five female puppies at a price of £2,000 each, with similar advertisements appearing at later dates.
Following her conviction, Grady reported experiencing online abuse, which led her to close her social media accounts and, on two occasions, leave her home address.
Her legal representative also mentioned that she was dealing with financial difficulties, including a debt of approximately £15,000 resulting from a relationship breakdown.
In sentencing, Grady was fined £300, with an additional £34 surcharge and court costs amounting to £300.
This sum represents less than a quarter of the total £1,299 incurred in bringing the case to court.
She has agreed to pay off her debt at a rate of £50 per month, demonstrating her ongoing financial struggles amidst the legal repercussions of her actions.
