Yahoo News Surrey dog daycare owner prosecuted after operating illegally
The owner of a dog daycare business has been prosecuted for operating illegally. Harriet Poupart admitted running Poupy’s Pooches without a licence.
She was prosecuted by Guildford Borough Council after a lengthy investigation by its animal welfare officer, which discovered she had been operating illegally between December 2 2018 and March 26 2024. Poupart, of Mill Lane, Pirbright, was handed a £1,000 fine and also ordered to pay full costs to the council and a victim surcharge of £400, totalling £3,939.76 at Guildford Magistrates' Court on October 21.
Councillor Merel Rehorst-Smith, lead councillor for regulatory and democratic services, said: “Unlicensed dog day care facilities are not regulated regarding the safety, health, and welfare of our pets. Operators may not have the required knowledge and training in relation to the animals which are entrusted to them. They also take business away from legitimate, licensed premises.”
READ MORE:Sara Sharif’s stepmother was victim of ‘honour-based abuse’, court hears
According to social media posts, the business has been permanently closed since March 2024. Under section 13 of the 2006 Animal Welfare Act, it is an offence to operate an animal daycare business without a licence, under this act, you will also be required to obtain a licence if you operate the following animal activities; dog boarding (in kennels, or home boarding), cat boarding in a cattery, selling animals as pets, hiring out horses, keeping or training animals for exhibition, keeping a zoo and keeping dangerous, wild animals.
Cllr Rehorst-Smith issued a warning to dog owners, adding: "If you are thinking of using a dog day care facility, please do your research. Ask them if they have a licence and check with our Animal Welfare team if you're suspicious or have any doubts."
There are numerous licensed establishments in region, details of these can be found on the Guildford Borough Council licensing pages here.
Guildford Borough Council states that: "We issue licences to pet carers and companies after a thorough inspection. Dog day care, kennels, home boarders and catteries all need a licence, ensuring they understand how to handle animals, provide a safe environment and feed them correctly."
A licence can be obtained through contacting your council. Your council will then inspect the premises to evaluate whether you meet the licensing conditions. You can learn more about these conditions on the GOV.UK's Animal welfare page here. Further information about the 2006 Animal Welfare Act can be found here.
You can report an unlicensed animal activity in Guildford by emailing regulatoryservices@guildford.gov.uk or call 01483 505050.
