The team has helped to rehome 132 dogs during various investigations
Bristol City Council trading standards officers helped rehome 132 dogs in a year – pictured are just a few of them being kept in cages(Image: Bristol City Council)
Bristol’s Trading Standards team seized 16,000 illegal vapes in just a year and helped to rehome 132 dogs, according to a new report. They also recovered over £100,000 for victims.
In one investigation, officers rescued seven dogs that were being kept in appalling conditions in a shipping container in a garden in Two Mile Hill. The dogs were being illegally bred and sold, Bristol City Council said.
The offender, named by the council as Attila Kovacs, was prosecuted for both animal cruelty and for fraudulently obtaining £96,500 in Covid Bounce Back Loans, a scheme introduced to support small businesses after COVID-19.
Six of the seven dogs rescued have since been rehomed, and the team have received a PawPrints Gold Award from the RSPCA for going above and beyond to promote animal welfare.
The team’s work in tackling illegal tobacco and vape sales, investigating scams, and supporting animal welfare is also outlined in a new report detailing the work of the Bristol City Council team over the last year.
In the last year officers have also:
- Stopped 17 types of unsafe products from entering the UK via Avonmouth Port
- Recovered £100,000 for victims through court awards or direct intervention
- Investigated 194 reports of dangerous dog on dog attacks
- Assisted in 15 criminal convictions, including two resulting in prison sentences
- Carried out 174 inspections for illicit tobacco and vapes compliance
Councillor Stephen Williams, chair of the Public Health and Communities committee at the council, said: “We want to thank the Trading Standards team for their hard work and dedication to protecting our communities.
“Their commitment sends a clear message that illegal practices are not welcome in Bristol and will not be tolerated. We will continue to take action, and we encourage everyone to report rogue businesses or traders to Trading Standards or Citizens Advice.
“Together we can ensure that rogue traders have no place in our city”
Illegal tobacco seized by trading standards officers in Bristol(Image: Bristol City Council)
Anyone with concerns about illegal trading or unsafe products can make a report via Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133. Reports can also be made online using the Report it service, or by getting in touch with the council’s Trading Standards team at trading.standards@bristol.gov.uk.