The owner of a kennels who sold sick and dying puppies faces a jail sentence if she breaks a court order following an investigation by trading standards.
Loretta Bastin, who runs the Bailey Kennels and Hollies Hounds, at Dobe Farm, Wickford, agreed to conditions of an enforcement order at Southend County Court, which means any puppies she sells have to be of satisfactory quality.
If she breaks this, she faces imprisonment.
Officers from Essex County Council's trading standards responded to complaints from customers who had brought puppies, which became ill or died shortly after purchase.
The court heard how Mrs Bastin also agreed to a series of undertakings on top of the order, which include allowing a vet to inspect her property and act on any recommendations they make, and allowing the vet to re-inspect the property at regular intervals.
Officers in Essex set a legal precedent by using the Enterprise Act to get Mrs Bastin to sign up to the undertakings as this is the first time these powers have been used to deal with animal trading.
Peter Martin, Essex cabinet member responsible for Trading Standards, said: "I am delighted we have become the first in the country to have used this legislation to stop this type of animal cruelty."
Published Wednesday July 21, 2004
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