A WHITCHURCH woman that ran an illegal dog breeding business will return to prison after her appeal against a five-month jail sentence was thrown out by judges on Friday.

Alison Bransby, of White House Farm, Tilstock, Whitchurch, was sentenced to 22 weeks in prison at Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, October 6 after a joint prosecution with the RSPCA and West Mercia Police.

However, she appeared at Worcester Crown Court to appeal the length of her sentence for her role in the operation, which had run since 2017, earned her £150,000 and caused dozens of animals to suffer.

Whitchurch Herald:

The defendant had been reportedly released to live with family members pending the appeal but she is now expected to serve her sentence in full.

At the original hearing last month, Bransby was also disqualified from keeping any animals for life and ordered to pay £42,000 costs after pleading guilty to 17 animal welfare offences, including breeding and selling puppies without a licence.

The offences involved 27 dogs, eight puppies, two cats, a horse, a lamb, a terrapin and an African grey parrot.

Her daughter, Kayleigh Bransby, of the same address, was given an 11-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, a 10-year ban on keeping all animals and ordered to pay costs of £20,000 after admitting nine animal welfare offences.

An investigation began after complaints from members of the public who had bought puppies and dogs from the farm that later became ill.

On February 24, 2021 a warrant was executed at the farm and 35 dogs of various breeds were found to be living in appalling conditions.

They were moved to a safe location.

Whitchurch Herald:

Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court heard how Bransby and her daughter operated an extensive illegal dog breeding operation at their farm and advertised puppies and dogs for sale on various websites.

The animals were housed in wooden sheds, pens and kennels, some barely bigger than a large rabbit hutch.

Speaking after Friday's hearing, chief inspector Ian Briggs from the RSPCA’s special operations unit, which investigated the illegal selling, said: "We’re pleased this case has finally concluded and that the vast majority of the animals who suffered such terrible neglect are now living happy lives in loving new homes.

"We'd always encourage anyone thinking of getting a puppy to adopt rather than buy, and to do lots of research first to ensure they source a dog responsibly.”   

A vet said that none of the 41 animals that were seized had been provided with a suitable environment by the defendants and insufficient steps had been taken by them to protect the animals from pain, injury, suffering and disease.  

The vet added: “It was abundantly clear from the layout of the property, the dogs present, the previous advertisements and the presence of puppies that the property was being used as a dog breeding establishment, which was unlicensed."