Esther Titterton had been illegally breeding and selling puppies using fake Kennel Club paperwork and fake vaccination certificates. Trading Standards Officers seized up to 39 puppies, many with health problems, from Ms Titterton’s home in Stafford.

On 23 April 2019, Stafford Crown Court sentenced Ms Titterton to 18 months in prison.

Ms Titterton pleaded guilty to 13 charges of fraud, including the breeding of dogs without a licence, the sale of puppies without a pet shop licence and consumer protection offences.

Staffordshire County Council's Trading Standards team said it worked with the Animal, Plant and Health Agency, police and the RSPCA to investigate Ms Titterton following a complaint about her business activities that was received in June 2017. Most of the puppies were cockapoos and health problems with dogs from so-called puppy farms is a common occurrence.

All the puppies have since been re-homed.

Should you have any questions about your legal obligations in relation to Trading Standards matters and need a specialist Trading Standards Solicitor, call James Lowe, our Regulatory Partner on 07833 240 400 for advice and assistance.