A couple from the Vale of Glamorgan have been ordered to pay more than £400,000 after running an unlicensed dog breeding business that forced animals to produce multiple litters a year. Karl Shellard, 43, and Victoria Shellard, 40, operated the venture, known as PosherBulls, from their home, selling puppies for up to £20,000 each.
Cardiff Crown Court heard that the pair bred at least 67 litters over six years, with one dog, named Coco, delivering six litters in a four-year period. This breached animal welfare laws, which prohibit back-to-back breeding. The court was told that in a single year, 43 litters were delivered by Caesarean section.
The couple were each fined £19,000 and ordered to pay £372,531 in confiscation, with a further £43,775 in court costs. They face two years in prison if they do not pay within three months. Investigations under the Proceeds of Crime Act found that they made £372,531 illegally, despite having available assets of £1,041,714.
The court heard that the Shellards had been repeatedly told to apply for a licence from Vale of Glamorgan council but ignored the authorities. They attempted to avoid detection by using “co-ownership contracts”, in which other people officially owned or housed the dogs. Both pleaded guilty to breeding dogs without a licence and nine counts of failing to ensure the needs of a protected animal.
Judge David Wynn Morgan told the couple: “You were running a puppy farm and doing it to make money, and you made a great deal of money indeed. You could have run an extremely profitable business if you were properly registered but you’re going to pay the price for that folly.” The offences took place between 2014 and 2020.
