Man refused dog breeding licence

Aug 28 2009 by Stuart Wilson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

A MAN has been refused a licence to breed dogs – on suspicion his wife would run the business.

Thomas Baird, a former church minister, had applied to South Ayrshire Council for permission to sell the animals.

But wife Elizabeth, who has previous convictions for falsely selling dogs as Kennel Club registered, was suspected of being involved in the venture.

Trading Standards received 49 complaints in under four years against her last puppy farm in Hurlford.

Mr Baird, 50, was applying for a new licence to operate out of a property in Tarbolton.

But South Ayrshire Council’s regulatory panel weren’t happy with the bid, and refused because of their suspicions surrounding Mrs Baird.

Councillor Ian Fitzsimmons, chair of the panel, confirmed: “The panel took into account the information presented to them and, after much consideration of this, proposed a motion that other matters, namely a person or persons connected with the business, prevented them granting a licence.

“The motion was carried unanimously and the application for a dog breeder’s licence was refused.”

Previous customers of the kennels run by Mrs Baird claimed she was selling dogs which were unhealthy.

One family even claimed to pay £475 for a puppy which died just 24 hours later.

Mrs Baird, 49, was then banned from selling dogs by Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last year.