UK Inquiry Tracker

Lawson Bond

PFD Report All Responded Ref: 2023-0335Deceased

Date of Report 22 August 2023

Coroner David Reid

Coroner Area Worcestershire

Response Deadline ✓ from report 13 November 2023

Child Death (from 2015) Other related deaths

Judiciary.uk Report PDF

All 1 response received · Deadline: 13 Nov 2023

Coroner's Concerns (AI summary)

Worcestershire Regulatory Services' lack of proactive monitoring for unlicensed dog breeders on websites allows unscrupulous sellers to operate undetected, increasing the risk of dangerous puppies being sold to the public.

View full coroner's concerns

(1) In evidence to the inquest, , Principal Licensing Officer in the Licensing Team at Worcestershire Regulatory Services, agreed that the Licensing Team has a role in trying to identify unlicensed breeders, but stated that in this respect the Team is “intelligence-led”, i.e. that they will only act on information received or complaints made. Whilst the Team has an intelligence officer who will monitor websites, such monitoring will only take place in response to information received or a complaint made. The Team does not take a more pro-active approach generally, for example by searching websites and social media on a regular basis; (2) The inquest received evidence from staff at the Worcestershire Coroner’s Office, who had undertaken two separate internet searches looking for Rottweiler puppies for sale within the Worcestershire area. These searches were conducted on 9 June 2023 and 28 June 2023, and found recent adverts placed by on two separate websites ), advertising Rottweiler puppies for sale. An identically worded advert was also found in the name of accepted in evidence that this advert was placed on her behalf; (3) It might be thought that a regulatory authority would have less reason to be concerned about a scrupulous dog breeder, who applies and pays for a dog breeding licence, than about a dog breeder who ignores the licensing scheme. It is therefore concerning that Worcestershire Regulatory Services does not, at present, take a more pro-active approach in this regard, for example by monitoring websites for adverts placed by those selling puppies within its area. It would be quite possible to specify searches in such a way as to concentrate on breeds which might give a greater cause for concern in terms of safety. For all of the above reasons, I am concerned that unless Regulatory Services within Wychavon District Council take action, there will remain a risk that unscrupulous unlicensed breeders will continue to offer puppies and dogs for sale within the Wychavon area, which present a heightened risk of danger to those who buy them and who come into contact with them.

Responses

Wychavon District Council Local Authority / Fire Service

10 Nov 2023

Action Planned
Wychavon District Council will undertake continuous, business-as-usual intelligence gathering for a minimum of 12 months, covering a larger number of key selling sites and including searches for approximately 65 breeds classed as "large" by the Kennel Club. (AI summary)

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Dear Mr Reid REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS Wychavon District Council understands your concerns set out in the Regulation 28 Report dated 22 August 2023 relating to the tragic death of Lawson Bond. Historically, the Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS) Intelligence Team has undertaken project based proactive monitoring, for a fixed period of time, of a number of the most prominent selling sites on the internet known to be used by unlicensed breeders. This has been successful, identifying 30 unlicensed breeders across Worcestershire. The breeder in this particular case generally advertised on a site not covered by the project work as it had not featured in previous intelligence gathering. Going forward from this month, for a minimum period of 12 months, the intelligence gathering project for Wychavon will be a continuous, business-as-usual activity. The work will cover a significantly larger number of key selling sites and we will ensure that the on-going intelligence gathering activity includes searches for the approximately 65 breeds classed as "large" by the Kennel Club and, guided by the expertise of the Dog Warden Team, any similar breeds that might meet these criteria. We will review the outcomes of this work at the end of this initial 12-month period with a view to continuing if successful. We would also respectfully suggest that specialist internet selling sites which routinely deal with breeders, particularly breed-specific sites, should have their own controls in place to ensure that those advertising who meet the "business" threshold are licensed. We understand that a number do this, refusing to take adverts from people who they believe ought to be licensed and are not. However, this does not stop individuals potentially creating new accounts or using different names to avoid controls. Although it is not perfect, we would ask you to encourage those taking adverts to maintain a robust position with those they believe are acting in the course of a business. Please do not hesitate to contact me again if I can provide anything further.

Chief Executive

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Sent To

Wychavon District Council

Response Status

Linked responses 1 of 1

56-Day Deadline 13 Nov 2023

All responses received

About PFD responses

Organisations named in PFD reports must respond within 56 days explaining what actions they are taking.

Source: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Report Sections

Investigation and Inquest

On 22 April 2022 I commenced an investigation and opened an inquest into the death of Lawson Bond, a child of 2½ years of age. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 21 August 2023. The conclusion of the inquest was that Lawson died as the result of misadventure.

Circumstances of the Death

In answer to the questions “when, where and how did Lawson come by his death?”, I recorded as follows: “On 28.3.22 Lawson Bond was attacked and mauled by an adult Rottweiler at his home in Egdon. The Rottweiler was in a field at the address, to which Lawson had gained access from his garden by climbing a gate and unhitching a security chain. He was taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital, and then to Birmingham Children's Hospital, where he died from his injuries on the morning of 30.3.22.” The Rottweiler which mauled Lawson was one of eight adult Rottweilers kept by Lawson’s grandmother . For many years, had been running a business breeding Rottweilers and advertising Rottweiler puppies for sale. She ought to have obtained a licence to carry out these activities, as per The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, but had never had one.