Hillingdon Council has recovered £282,738 following a 2018 case involving illegal dog breeding. The funds were awarded in a possession order against Galyna Khudyakova and Volodymyr Tymoshenko, who were initially fined nearly £50,000 for breeding and selling dogs and cats without a licence.
In December 2018, officers executed a search warrant, revealing dozens of animals kept in poor conditions, with cages stacked from floor to ceiling and a room used for animal birthing.
The case was highlighted in a report discussed at the Residents' Services Select Committee meeting on Tuesday, 15 July 2025, which provided information on animal welfare and animal licensing within the borough. The report outlined the council's responsibilities under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018. The report also mentioned the unlicensed breeding and sale of XL Bullies prior to the ban.
In addition to the fine, Khudyakova and Tymoshenko were ordered to pay prosecution costs. The judge sentenced each defendant as follows:
- Fine for each offence £4,500 (so £9,000 for each defendant)
- Prosecution costs £15,000 each (so £30,000 between the defendants)
- Victim surcharge £150 each
- Total £24,150 in financial penalties/costs for each defendant £48,300 in total.
According to the report, Khudyakova and Tymoshenko are continuing to pay the costs to the council in monthly installments of £350.
