Ealing Council's trading standards officers have won another successful prosecution against a trader who pleaded guilty of seven separate offences. On the 1st September Ealing Magistrates Court heard Stuart Wood, trading as Silvesters Pet Shop, pleading guilty to the seven separate offences of selling sick animals from his pet shops in Northfields Avenue W13 and Greenford Avenue, W7. He was fined £2,700 by the Court and agreed to pay a contribution towards Ealing Council's costs of £2,500.

The court was given evidence that on two occasions this summer, customers had purchased animals from Mr Wood's shops, which were found to have severe illnesses shortly afterwards. A kitten bought from the Northfields Avenue Branch was diagnosed with a respiratory virus and cat flu. A puppy bought at the Greenford Avenue branch was so ill he was taken to the vet and kept in intensive care for six days before recovery.

The court heard that Mr Wood had also breached the conditions of his licence, as he had sold animals without a vet's inspection.

Animal Health Inspectors prosecuted Mr Wood on another two offences following an inspection . Eleven kittens, from mixed litters were found in an overcrowded cage. The kittens were apparently there only for a temporary period whilst cleaning, however even this is not allowed, as it could spread disease.

Mr Wood was also found in contravention of the Fair Trading Act by issuing receipts which said "No refund, exchange or credit note is available on any livestock purchase". The receipts have now been changed to include his full business details and had the "No refunds" statement removed.

To make sure that this does not happen again Mr Wood has agreed to increased inspections of his premises and to maintain a proper register in the future.

Helen Wilkie, head of business regulation & support, for Ealing Council said, "We take animal welfare very seriously and when we receive complaints about sick animals being sold or being kept in unsatisfactory conditions in pet shops we will take action. This trader has agreed to work with us to ensure that the health and welfare of his animals meets the standards we expect and that these sort of offences do not happen again".