Dog breeder is being investigated for not having a licence to sell puppies for up to £2,750 each

Trio was bought as a puppy from NBBZ in Begdale. She died at the age of just 10 months. (Image: Archant)

The situation came to light after a couple spoke out when their bulldog fell sick within weeks of picking her up from Natural Born Bullies, NBBZ, at Begdale, near Wisbech.

When the animal died at 10 months, of suspected meningitis, the couple checked her paperwork which they claim shows the animal’s parents were brother and sister.

Richie O’Gorman, who runs NBBZ, said on his Facebook page he was licensed, and the dogs were line bred, which is allowed under Kennel Club rules.

He and his girlfriend, Zoe Jefcut, mostly breed bull dogs selling for around £2,750 each.

Ritchie O'Gorman runs NBBZ dog breeding with his partner Zoe Jefcut at Begalde near Elm. He said he is licensed. Since Fenland District Council launched an investigation this page has been changed to not mention of any licence. (Image: Archant)

However, Fenland District Council say neither are licensed and an investigation is under way.

Richie said: “We’ve never had breeding dogs here to have them licensed, we’ve had dogs in different accommodations.

“Five months ago we got an email from Fenland District Council saying they’re giving a licence, but that is now on hold because of a complaint.

“We don’t breed dogs from this site so don’t need a licence for here.

Ritchie O'Gorman admits in a Facebook chat that some of his dogs have had health problems. (Image: Archant)

“We can’t give dogs a lifetime guarantee. Meningitis is an occurred problem not a genetic problem.

“We’re the most popular bull dog breeder in the UK.”

A Fenland District Council spokesperson said: “The council continues to investigate complaints received regarding an animal breeder in the district, in accordance with the council’s enforcement policy.

“As there is currently an investigation into animal licensing activity, it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this time.

Ritchie O'Gorman gives Nickolas wallace a certificate which shows the parents of his dog Trio are brother and sister. (Image: Archant)

“A licence application has been submitted to the council and is being considered as part of the usual application process during this investigation.”

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club secretary, said: “We can confirm that Ritchie O’Gorman and Zoe Jefcut from Wisbech have both registered puppies with the Kennel Club over a ten year period, however neither of the people in question are members of the Kennel Club’s Assured Breeder Scheme.

“It is vital that anybody who has concerns about a breeder should report these immediately to the RSPCA.

“The Kennel Club always recommends buying from an Assured Breeder as this gives puppy buyers the best chance of getting a healthy, well-bred puppy.

Ritchie O'Gorman admits in a Facebook chat that some of his dogs have had health problems. (Image: Archant)

“Breeders who are members of our scheme have their premises checked and inspected, and must comply with the scheme’s rules to help to safeguard the health and welfare of their pups.”

A couple from Worcestershire spoke out when their dog died after falling ill within two months of collecting her from the Fens.

The bulldog, called Trio, initially pulled through with strong steroids, but as she was being weaned off them she fell sick again and died.

The couple say Trio’s certificate shows her parents are brother and sister and that the in-breeding causes significant problems.

Ritchie O'Gorman admits in a Facebook chat that some of his dogs have had health problems. (Image: Archant)

Danielle Richards, of Worcestershire, said her partner Nickolas Wallace drove to the Fens to pick up their 10 week old puppy Trio, an Old English Bulldog, last year.

But within two months she went down hill.

Danielle said: “We don’t want anybody else to go through this and we don’t want an more dogs to suffer as Trio did.

“Everything was fine then all of a sudden she started drooping her head. Her eyes looked funny, she was clearly not well.

Ritchie O'Gorman admits in a Facebook chat that some of his dogs have had health problems. (Image: Archant)

“Usually she was really playful but she sat under the table with her head down. She looked sad and ill.

“The vet said maybe it was meningitis. We transferred her care to the PDSA where they admitted her immediately and put her straight on to medication.

“She was on steroids and started to get better but then two months later, as we began to wean her off the steroids, she started deteriorating really quick.

“She could barely move and started foaming at the mouth, she struggled to breathe.

Ritchie O'Gorman runs NBBZ dog breeding with his partner Zoe Jefcut at Begalde near Elm. (Image: Archant)

“We took her straight to the vets and they wanted to put her down, but we didn’t want to, she is part of our family.

“So three times we said no and we would push on with treatment, whatever the cost.

“The vet said her neurological signs were bad and she went into a coma. She died in the night. It was heart breaking.”

• The Kennel Club said that line breeding is where dogs from the same extended family line are mated eg. a grandparent and grandchild or a more distant relative.

Ritchie O'Gorman runs NBBZ dog breeding with his partner Zoe Jefcut at Begalde near Elm. (Image: Archant)

• According to current laws for breeders in England and Scotland, a licence is required if you are either in the business of breeding and selling dogs or breeding five or more litters regardless of where the litters were bred if you own the female dog(s).

• Details can be found here https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1999/11/section/7. In section 4.

NBBZ dog breeders are based at Begdale, near Wisbech. (Image: Archant)