Northamptonshire man found guilty of unlicensed dog breeding fined more than £62k and handed five-year ban
Edward Howard, of King’s Cliffe in east Northamptonshire has been found guilty of unlicensed dog breeding after a two-day trial in September 2025, and was subsequently sentenced on Friday (February 13).
Howard has been handed a fine of £53,130, alongside council costs of £7,346.56 and a maximum victim surcharge of £2,000.
North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) became aware of the unlicensed dog breeding activities involving Doberman and Whippet breeds in June 2023, and launched an investigation, which resulted in Howard being sentenced on Friday to a disqualification order from dealing in dogs for five years, effective immediately. This includes the buying, selling, and breeding dogs in any manner which would require a licence.
Cllr Kirk Harrison, the council’s executive member for regulatory services, said: “We are determined that the local area will not be used for illegal activities around dog breeding. This case is an example of what happens when dog breeders who don’t engage and follow the necessary rules and regulations.
"This case has been ongoing for over two and a half years, and I think the result shows the seriousness of the breeder’s actions.”
Following the ‘full and thorough’ investigation, charges were laid and a two-day trial took place at the beginning of September 2025.
The result was that Edward Howard was found guilty of carrying on a licensable activity without authority of a licence, contrary to section 13 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which states regulations made may require certain animal-related activities to be licensed by the local authority or appropriate national authority.
Those who have concerns about illegal puppy sales can speak to a member of NNC’s Regulatory Services Animal Licensing team on 0300 126 3000.