Prison sentence for unlicensed Caerphilly dog breeder

A Caerphilly man has been sentenced for unlicensed dog breeding under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Jedd Wiegold (aged 32) of Keble Court, Machen, Caerphilly received a custodial sentence at Newport Magistrates Court on the 11^th of January 2022 for unlicensed dog breeding and a number of mutilation offences. He was sentenced to 5 months for each of 5 separate offences, all to be served concurrently. Wiegold is already serving a custodial sentence for unrelated offences.

Wiegold has since been disqualified from owning, keeping and transporting dogs for 10 years with a restriction for 7 years on applying to have it lifted.

The sentencing follows an investigation by Caerphilly Council’s Trading Standards team after information regarding the breeding of dogs and ear cropping was reported by the Police following an investigation into unrelated matters.

Evidence in the case shows that Wiegold has been breeding and selling American Bully puppies for at least 2 years. Between 24^th March 2019 and 23^rd March 2020, Wiegold owned, bred and advertised in excess of 3 breeding bitches and litters.

The breeding of his dogs and puppies for sale were advertised on social media platforms (That is Wild Tri Bullys Facebook page, South Wales bullys Instagram page and the Wild Tri Bullys World Instagram page). The full extent of his earnings is not known however puppies were advertised between £4,000-£6,500 and in some cases, up to £10,000 per puppy.

Evidence obtained from his mobile phone also showed that Wiegold was involved in arranging/causing mutilation by ear cropping of puppies. The evidence suggests the procedure itself was carried out by an unknown third party.

Cllr Nigel George, Cabinet Member for Public Protection commented, “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.”

tradingstandards@caerphilly.gov.uk / licensing@caerphilly.gov.uk.