Man and woman accused of running illegal dog-breeding business from home

Angelica Evangelista and a co-accused, James Tracey, are accused of operating a dog-breeding establishment without a licence from Ms Evangelista’s home in Carrickfergus, Antrim.

They both face five separate charges covering the period from September 2021 to March 2022.

The case, which is being taken by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, is due before a court in Belfast this week.

Ms Evangelista and Mr Tracey ran a firm called A&J Dream Puppies.

On its Facebook page, which remains live, it is indicated the business has been operating since 1998.

Information on the page claims the puppies supplied by the business come with their first vaccination, are “vet-checked” and are supplied with all the relevant documentation.

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The business says it has provided puppies for people throughout the UK and in the Republic.

However, the council case alleges A&J Dream Puppies has been operating without the required licence.

Current legislation requires anyone wishing to operate a dog-breeding establishment to first obtain a licence from the district council in which the establishment is located.

The law defines a dog-breeding establishment as a premise where three or more “breeding bitches” are kept.

It is also classed as a dog breeding business if the establishment breeds three or more litters of puppies in any 12-month period, or advertises three or more litters for sale in a 12-month period.

Ms Evangelista (51) and Mr Tracey (43) are charged with operating a dog-breeding establishment on five separate occasions in 2021 and 2022.

All the offences are alleged to have happened at an address at Broadlands Gardens in Carrickfergus, which is listed on court documents as Ms Evangelista’s home address.

Mr Tracey’s address is listed as Merville Garden Village in Newtownabbey.

The Sunday World got in touch with A&J Dream Puppies through contact details advertised on the Facebook page.

Mr Tracey answered the phone and when asked if he wished to comment on the case, he said he would be denying the charges.

When contacted about the case, a council spokesperson said: “Mid and East Antrim Borough Council does not comment on ongoing legal proceedings.”

Concerns have been expressed in recent years about the problem of illegal dog-breeding in Northern Ireland.

In 2021, the Ulster Society for the Protection of Animals (USPCA) published a special report into the issue.

The report, entitled ‘Puppy Dog Fortunes’, said: “With huge profits to be made, less scrupulous individuals are being attracted to the business, ignoring minimum regulations, breeding illegally, causing disease and suffering to the mother and pups, and distress and sorrow to the unsuspecting buyer.”