Woman handed ten-year ban after running illegal puppy farm in East Ayrshire

A woman has been handed a ten-year ban from owning animals after running an illegal puppy farm in East Ayrshire.

Julie Taylor was sentenced at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court after pleading guilty to illegally selling puppies and failing to provide for their basic welfare needs.

The puppies were described as being kept in poor conditions, separated prematurely from their mothers, and not provided with appropriate veterinary care or vaccinations.

Many were housed in unsuitable, unhygienic environments that posed a serious risk to their health.

Scottish SPCA opened an investigation after a concerned member of the public responded to an online advert on the site Pets4Home in December 2023.

The person had met Taylor to purchase a puppy but noticed that the animal emitted a strong odour, appeared lethargic and frightened, and had a visibly distended stomach.

Julie Taylor illegally sold puppies and failed to provide for their basic welfare needs. SSPCA

Taylor could also not provide clear answers about the puppy’s age or details about its mother during the transaction.

The witness told a Scottish SPCA inspector that within a day of the purchase, the puppy’s health deteriorated rapidly.

A veterinary examination revealed the puppy was approximately eight weeks old, rather than ten, and was suffering from a respiratory infection.

“The puppy had not been microchipped and showed signs of poor care consistent with having come from a puppy farm,” the officer said.

The puppy was prescribed antibiotics and probiotics, but her condition worsened. Further veterinary treatment identified potential lung and ear infections, as well as internal parasites.

“Vets noted that the animal’s suffering could have been avoided with proper health protocols and concluded the conditions were consistent with those found in illegal puppy farms,” the report added.

The animal charity said the case highlights the “distressing consequences” of the illegal puppy trade.

“Puppies raised in unlicensed, unregulated environments often suffer serious illness or even death due to early separation from their mothers, lack of proper care, and exposure to parasites,” SSPCA said.

Taylor was found to have sold puppies without the necessary licence and failed to take steps to ensure the welfare of 16 puppies.

She was given a ten-year ban on keeping animals, a 200-hour community payback order, a five-month restriction of liberty order and was ordered to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work.

A spokesperson for the SSPCA said the charity was satisfied with the outcome due to Taylor’s “significant role” in the illegal and unethical puppy trade.

“We receive frequent complaints from buyers whose new puppies are seriously ill shortly after purchase. Many sellers use online platforms while posing as private individuals to avoid scrutiny,” they said.

“The financial and emotional burden placed on unsuspecting buyers is huge, and there can also be serious health risks to humans from infections such as roundworms.”

The spokesperson continued: “The sentence sends a clear message to others engaged in this type of activity. The scale of suffering in cases like this is unacceptable and avoidable. Stronger deterrents are needed to combat the illegal puppy trade and protect both animals and the public.”