Anton Boston, 26, from Ely in Cardiff has been convicted of illegal dog breeding and fraud at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on July 3rd.
In sentencing last Friday, District Judge Khan told Boston that if it wasn’t for COVID 19 and his health condition, he would have sent him immediately to prison.
This case came to light following a number of complaints about Anton Boston and his dog breeding business – Boston Bullies Wales, following adverts and social media posts that had been placed on Facebook.
After collecting all the relevant evidence needed to apply for a warrant, a multi-agency warrant was executed at his home address on May 2nd, 2019.
Six adult dogs and five puppies were found when officers from the Shared Regulatory Services, RSPCA and the police arrived at his house, along with two fraudulent canine passports.
It was clear to officers that not only did Boston not have a licence to breed dogs, and appeared to have two fraudulent passports for two of the dogs, there was no other paperwork for the remaining animals and he was breeding more than the permitted levels.
Cllr Michael Michael, Cabinet Member responsible for Shared Regulatory Services, said:
“Our officers were investigating Anton Boston for some time, due to the complaints that we received from a number of sources.
“While we were preparing our case for court, at the end of January this year, it was reported in the press that Boston had been targeted in an aggravated robbery at his house, where armed men entered his property demanding cash and stole one of his puppies. By that time, our case against Boston was continuing, and we knew that the business he was operating from his home was illegal.”
Anton Boston was sentenced to 32 weeks custody, suspended for 18 months with a requirement to carry out 20 days rehabilitation activities, as well as a 16 week tagged curfew. A forfeiture and destruction order was obtained for the passports and £350 costs was awarded to the Shared Regulatory Service.
Cllr Michael continued: “At the request of the judge and the fact that a suspended sentence has been given in this case, we will be keeping a very close eye on Anton Boston to ensure he doesn’t breach any of the conditions of his sentence.”
