A Cambridgeshire woman who illegally bred designer dogs in squalid conditions to profit from inflated prices during the Covid lockdowns has received a six-month suspended prison sentence and a 10-year ban on owning, keeping, or controlling animals.
Jackie Draper, formerly of Wardy Hill and now residing in March, failed to meet the basic care needs of 44 dogs and puppies crammed into her rented semi-detached house, Cambridge Magistrates’ Court heard. The dogs were found without access to water, surrounded by faeces and urine, with broken glass and more faeces in the garden.
During the Covid period, Draper bred 23 litters of puppies, many of which were underweight and required veterinary care, selling some for as much as £5,000 each. Draper pleaded guilty to three charges under the Animal Welfare Act 2006: breeding and advertising the sale of dogs without a licence, failing to meet the welfare needs of 44 dogs, and causing unnecessary suffering to a puppy named Ronnie.
The investigation began in August 2020 when an East Cambridgeshire District Council dog warden and an RSPCA officer responded to complaints of sick puppies being sold at Draper’s property. They found underweight French Bulldogs, a female Pomeranian, Boston Terriers, and Poodles. Draper was advised to cease trading immediately due to her lack of a licence and was instructed to seek veterinary care for the French Bulldogs.
Despite claiming she would apply for a licence, Draper continued breeding and selling puppies without one. Subsequent visits and investigations revealed further evidence of neglect, including online advertisements and statements from buyers of sick puppies. One ad from July 2020 listed Cavapoochon puppies for prices between £3,500 and £5,000 each.
A raid in August 2022 uncovered 14 adult dogs, including two heavily pregnant ones, 14 older puppies, and 16 newborn puppies. Many dogs were underweight, with visible bones and poor muscle mass, and suffered from major flea infestations and ear mites. One puppy required intensive care, and a Cockapoo was deemed the “worst case of grooming neglect” seen by a groomer in 15 years.
The court described Draper’s actions as “deliberate, pre-planned, premeditated, and motivated by profit with disregard for the dogs’ needs.” Despite Draper’s claims that she inherited the dogs from family and her ex-partner drove the breeding, she was held responsible for the neglect and cruelty.
In addition to the suspended prison sentences, Draper was ordered to attend 15 rehabilitation activities, 12 sessions of mental health counseling, and complete 200 hours of unpaid community work. She was also required to contribute £5,000 towards the £40,000 prosecution costs.
A spokesperson for East Cambridgeshire District Council confirmed that all rescued dogs had been rehomed, including Ronnie and Daisy, now cared for by two council officers. They emphasized the council’s commitment to animal welfare and praised the collaborative efforts of council officers, the RSPCA, vets, dog groomers, rehoming organizations, and individuals involved in the care and rehoming of the dogs.
“At East Cambridgeshire District Council, we take concerns over animal welfare very seriously and are committed to ensuring a level playing field for licensed dog breeders. It is important that we take action against cruel and unscrupulous individuals who operate illegally, with no regard for the law or the welfare of the animals they are making money from. This case has been a great example of how council officers and agencies such as the RSPCA can work together to achieve a positive outcome. A huge thank you also goes to all of the vets, dog groomers, rehoming organizations, and individuals involved in the care and rehoming of these dogs who made a very difficult situation much easier to deal with.”
