Illegal Bradford Dog Breeder Ordered to Pay £124,609

A Bradford man who operated an unlicensed Labrador breeding business for more than three years has been ordered to pay a total of £124,609.94 following proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. Steven Robson was given three months to pay the confiscation order or face a 12 month prison sentence.

Labradors bred without a licence for several years

Steven Robson bred and sold Labrador puppies from an address in Eldwick, Bradford, through a business called Southway Labrador Retrievers. Some of the puppies were reportedly sold for as much as £2,000, allowing Robson to make a significant amount of money while operating without the required dog breeding licence.

Bradford Council had repeatedly advised Robson that he needed to obtain a licence if he intended to continue breeding and selling puppies. Despite correspondence from the council and attempts by officers to help him understand the licensing requirements, no application was submitted and the breeding activity continued.

Council complaints led to an investigation

Bradford Council was initially alerted to the breeding activity following information that Labrador puppies were being sold from the property without a licence. A dog warden visited the address and Robson later confirmed that dogs were being bred there. He was instructed to stop breeding and was sent the paperwork needed to apply for a licence.

Further complaints were subsequently received and council officers found evidence of additional litters being advertised online. Robson was again advised to apply for a licence if he wished to continue, but an application was never completed. The evidence gathered by the council eventually resulted in criminal proceedings.

Conviction and ban on breeding animals

Robson was convicted in November 2024 of operating a dog breeding business without a licence. At his sentencing hearing in February 2025, the court heard that he had continued breeding despite knowing that a licence was required. The judge described his conduct as a persistent refusal to cooperate with the council and made clear that operating without a licence was a serious offence.

He received an 18 month probation order and an electronically monitored curfew lasting six months. He was also disqualified from breeding animals. The court was told that the case concerned illegal commercial breeding rather than allegations of animal cruelty.

Proceeds of Crime investigation followed the conviction

Following the conviction, Bradford Council worked with West Yorkshire Trading Standards to investigate the financial benefit Robson had obtained through the unlicensed breeding business. The case was brought under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, which allows prosecutors to ask the Crown Court to recover money obtained through criminal conduct.

At the confiscation hearing, the court assessed the financial benefit connected with Robson’s offending. He was ordered to pay £114,946.05 under the Proceeds of Crime Act and was given three months to make the payment. A 12 month default prison sentence was imposed in the event that he failed to comply with the order.

More than £124,000 ordered in total

In addition to the £114,946.05 confiscation order, Robson was ordered to pay £8,413.55 towards the prosecution costs and a £90 victim surcharge. The court also awarded £1,160.34 in compensation to a customer who incurred veterinary expenses after a dog purchased from Robson developed health problems.

These orders brought the total amount Robson was required to pay to £124,609.94. The confiscation order was separate from the compensation, legal costs and victim surcharge, demonstrating that the financial consequences of illegal commercial breeding can extend far beyond an ordinary court fine.

How the Proceeds of Crime Act can affect illegal breeders

The Proceeds of Crime Act is designed to prevent convicted offenders from retaining the financial benefit of criminal activity. In illegal dog breeding cases, investigators can examine puppy advertisements, sales records, banking information, payment messages and other financial evidence to establish how much money was obtained through the unlicensed business.

A court can then make a confiscation order requiring the offender to repay the assessed benefit, subject to the value of their available assets and the court’s findings. This means a breeder could face a penalty or sentence for operating illegally and also be required to surrender money made from puppy sales. Serving a default prison sentence does not necessarily remove the obligation to pay the confiscation order.

What this case demonstrates

This case shows why repeated warnings from a licensing authority should not be ignored. Bradford Council initially attempted to explain the licensing requirements and help Robson apply, but moved to prosecution after the breeding continued. The subsequent financial investigation ensured the consequences were not limited to the original sentence.

It also demonstrates that reports from residents and puppy buyers can help councils identify breeding activity that may otherwise remain outside the licensing system. Online advertisements, recurring litters, seller details and payment information can all contribute to an investigation.

How puppy buyers can check a breeder

Before paying a deposit or agreeing to purchase a puppy, buyers should complete several checks:

1. Ask whether the breeder holds a local authority dog breeding licence.
2. Request the licence number, issuing council and expiry date.
3. Use the licence check on our breeder directory to search for the breeder.
4. Confirm the licence through the issuing council’s public register or licensing team.
5. Check that the breeder’s name, business name and breeding address correspond with the licence.
6. Visit the premises where the puppy was bred and see the puppy interacting with its mother.
7. Ask to see veterinary records and relevant health testing results for both parents.
8. Be cautious if a seller regularly advertises puppies but claims not to operate as a business.
9. Retain copies of advertisements, messages, payment records and veterinary documents.
10. Report suspected unlicensed commercial breeding to the breeder’s local council.

Registration papers are not a breeding licence

A Royal Kennel Club registration certificate, pedigree document or certificate from another registration service is not a local authority dog breeding licence. Registration does not, by itself, prove that a breeder has been inspected, meets statutory welfare requirements or is legally entitled to operate a breeding business.

Not every breeder without a licence is necessarily operating illegally, as licensing depends on the number of litters and whether the activity is being carried on as a business. However, anyone claiming to be licensed should provide information that buyers can independently verify with the issuing council.

Sources

1. Bradford Council: Council wins case against illegal puppy breeder, published 10 February 2026.
2. West Yorkshire Joint Services: Illegal dog breeder ordered to repay the proceeds of his crime, published 6 February 2026.
3. Crown Prosecution Service: Proceeds of Crime guidance.
4. GOV.UK: Dog breeding licensing statutory guidance for local authorities.