Men fined and banned from owning dogs after running unlicensed animal fertility clinic from shed near Edinburgh

Two men have been fined and banned from owning dogs after being found running an unlicensed animal fertility clinic from a shed in Gorebridge, near Edinburgh. Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard that Alexander Myers ran the operation and Paul Robertson owned the property, carrying out reproductive procedures on dogs without a breeder's licence or a registered veterinary practice.

The clinic allegedly carried out artificial insemination, blood tests to monitor ovulation, and microchipping, according to court documents. Police Scotland first raised concerns during an unrelated visit to the property, prompting the Scottish SPCA to inspect. An inspector described an overwhelming stench of faeces and urine from dark, poorly ventilated kennels and shed areas coated in faeces. A total of 32 dogs were located at the residence, with three living in the house and the remainder kept in unsanitary kennels.

Further examinations revealed that multiple animals were suffering from ocular, skin, musculoskeletal and respiratory problems as a result of the poor treatment. In one particularly shocking case, a female French Bulldog named Miss Piggy was found collapsed, shivering, and with fresh wounds to her ears and face. Despite urgent veterinary efforts, her condition deteriorated and she was euthanised to prevent further suffering.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard that Robertson was fined £270, while Myers received 180 hours of community payback, a £90 fine, and a three-year ban on owning dogs. The pair pleaded guilty to neglect in Miss Piggy’s case, but not guilty to charges relating to other dogs; no convictions were recorded on those counts.

The Scottish SPCA said it respected the court’s decision but was disappointed the sentencing was not stronger. It described the case as a reminder of the risks posed by unregulated fertility clinics run from homes and the neglect of animal welfare that often accompanies them. It noted that some animals are seriously injured after blood draws by unqualified individuals and pressed for fertility clinics to be formally regulated, with inspections conducted only by registered veterinary surgeons.

The charity urged anyone considering breeding pets to consult a veterinarian first and to report concerns about fertility clinics to its helpline. It also called for an overhaul of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, arguing the law no longer provides adequate safeguards for animal welfare.

The SSPCA emphasized that it is increasingly seeing people operate fertility clinics from private residences, describing such operations as wholly unregulated and posing serious welfare risks. The case underscores broader concerns about oversight of home-based breeding and veterinary procedures conducted outside licensed facilities.

Separately, the Daily Record reported that Robertson was behind an intensive breeding programme that produced what vets described as