Puppies linked to Cardiff-based breeders netted £640,000 sold to customers in Pembrokeshire, court hears

THREE people who ran a large-scale illegal dog breeding operation that sold puppies across west Wales, including to buyers in Pembrokeshire, have been handed suspended prison sentences after a lengthy investigation uncovered more than £640,000 in unlawful sales.

Paul Xuereb, Samantha Xuereb and Matthew Anderson operated unlicensed dog breeding businesses in Cardiff between 2017 and 2022, deliberately avoiding animal welfare and licensing requirements while breeding and selling hundreds of puppies.

The court heard that the defendants used a network of companies, including Cardiff Canine Supplies Limited and Colour Coded Frenchies Fertility Clinic Ltd, to sell puppies to customers across Wales. The Herald understands that dogs bred as part of the operation were sold to buyers throughout Wales, including Pembrokeshire.

An investigation by Shared Regulatory Services (SRS) found the scale of the breeding operation far exceeded legal limits and involved systematic overbreeding using poor-quality breeding stock. This resulted in puppies being born with congenital defects and raised serious animal welfare concerns.

Paul and Samantha Xuereb were found to have bred 63 litters together, producing 259 puppies and generating more than £459,000 in sales. Matthew Anderson bred 35 litters, producing 159 puppies and earning over £181,000.

The court also heard that the defendants carried out veterinary procedures despite not being registered veterinary surgeons. These included blood testing, artificial insemination and the supply of prescription-only veterinary medicines, all of which are tightly regulated under UK law.

Large sums of cash were seized from properties linked to the operation, while bank records revealed the significant income generated from the unlawful businesses over a five-year period.

All three defendants pleaded guilty to multiple offences, including fraudulent trading, breaches of the Animal Welfare (Breeding of Dogs) (Wales) Regulations 2014, and the illegal possession and supply of veterinary medicines.

At sentencing, Paul Xuereb received a 23-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, along with ten rehabilitation activity days and 180 hours of unpaid work. Samantha Xuereb was handed a 15-month suspended sentence and ordered to complete 140 hours of unpaid work. Matthew Anderson received a 12-month suspended sentence with 120 hours of unpaid work.

Proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act are ongoing, with the court expected to consider confiscation of criminal assets at a later date. Further financial penalties remain possible.

Councillor Norma Mackie, Cardiff Council’s cabinet member responsible for Shared Regulatory Services, said the case showed “a clear disregard for the law” and placed animal welfare at serious risk. She said the sentences reflected the seriousness of the offending and should act as a deterrent to others.

Residents with concerns about suspected illegal dog breeding are urged to contact Shared Regulatory Services on 0300 123 6696.

PRIMARY schools across Wales are set to benefit from an estimated £8 million investment over the next two years after the Welsh Government confirmed an increase in the amount spent on each free school meal.

The funding boost will see the unit rate for Universal Primary Free School Meals rise from £3.20 to £3.40 per meal, an increase of 20p.

Since the scheme was launched in 2022, more than 57 million free meals have been served to primary school pupils across Wales.

The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle, said the increase means Wales now provides the highest per-meal funding rate for primary school meals anywhere in the UK, supporting schools and local authority catering teams to continue delivering nutritious food.

Wales also remains the only UK nation to offer Universal Primary Free School Meals to all primary school learners.

The scheme forms part of the Welsh Government’s wider efforts to support families with the cost of living and tackle child poverty. Parents are also being encouraged to check whether they are eligible for further assistance through the “Get help with school costs” service, including the School Essentials Grant, which helps with uniforms and classroom items. Schools also receive additional support through the Pupil Development Grant for eligible learners.

Lynne Neagle said:
“Universal Primary Free School Meals, alongside our targeted free meal offer in secondary schools, means that two-thirds of learners in Wales can access a free school meal at lunchtime every day.

“We recognise that costs are rising, and it is vital that local authorities are properly supported to deliver high-quality meals.

“Ending child poverty remains an absolute priority for the Welsh Government, and our commitment to Universal Primary Free School Meals shows how serious we are about giving every child the best possible start in life.”

Aled Jones reflected on a turbulent year in farming in his New Year message

NFU CYMRU President Aled Jones has reflected on a turbulent year for Welsh agriculture while warning that the months ahead will be “seismic” for both farming and politics in Wales, as the country prepares to go to the polls in May.

In his Christmas and New Year message, Mr Jones said farming families across Wales had endured more than a year of upheaval following proposed changes to Agricultural Property Relief and inheritance tax.

“Over the past fourteen months, farming families have been thrown into turmoil by proposals that threatened the future of the family farm,” he said. “NFU Cymru has been tireless in challenging these changes, with sustained and high-profile campaigning that culminated in the ‘NO IHT’ mosaic display at the Winter Fair on the eve of this year’s Budget.”

Mr Jones also recalled delivering the Stop the Family Farm Tax petition to Downing Street earlier this year, backed by more than a quarter of a million signatures.

While welcoming the limited concessions announced by the Chancellor in November — including the introduction of spousal transfer of the inheritance tax allowance — he warned the measures fell far short of what was needed.

“This will help only a small number of farmers and does nothing to protect the elderly or the terminally ill from the devastating consequences of these proposals,” he said. “It is for the most vulnerable in our communities that we must continue to fight.”

He urged the UK Government to remove the anti-forestalling clause from the Finance Bill as it progresses through Parliament, describing it as particularly harmful to farmers facing serious illness or uncertainty.

Turning to Welsh Government policy, Mr Jones noted that detailed guidance for the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) — eight years in the making — had now been published, with the scheme set to come into force from January 1, 2026.

He said important improvements had been secured since the scheme’s earliest proposals, following sustained engagement by NFU Cymru.

“Over the past eighteen months, our work through the Roundtable and sub-groups has delivered real change, including the removal of the ten per cent tree cover requirement and a reduction in universal actions from seventeen to twelve,” he said.

Mr Jones also welcomed confirmation that the overall farming budget would be maintained at £340 million, and said the inclusion of a social value payment recognised the wider contribution Welsh farming makes to society.

“While NFU Cymru supports the overall framework of the SFS, there is still much work to do,” he added. “This government — and the next — must commit to evolving the scheme so it supports a productive, progressive and profitable farming sector.”

Looking ahead to the Senedd election, Mr Jones described 2026 as a “seismic year” for Welsh politics, with the Senedd expanding to ninety-six members and new constituencies introduced under a revised voting system.

He pointed to NFU Cymru’s manifesto, Welsh Farming: Growing Forward, which calls for a farm-to-fork food strategy, a ring-fenced multi-year farming budget, a comprehensive bovine TB eradication plan and an independent review of regulation.

Reflecting on the year just passed, Mr Jones acknowledged the strain caused by inheritance tax uncertainty, the rollout of the SFS, ongoing animal disease threats and extreme weather.

He was also critical of the recent four-year review of the Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations, saying it failed to reflect the “sheer desperation” felt by farmers dealing with complex and impractical rules.

Despite these challenges, he said he remained optimistic.

“Every day I am inspired by the ambition and ‘can do’ attitude of farming families across Wales, and their determination to feed the nation while leaving their farms in a better state for the next generation.”

Mr Jones concluded by calling on politicians of all parties to work with the sector.

“As Wales enters a period of political change, we need policies and regulation that allow farming families to continue producing world-leading, healthy food while delivering for our environment, climate, economy, culture and language.”

“Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda.”