Dog put down following kennels stay
GoogleA man has been handed a suspended 12-month prison sentence for animal welfare offences linked to kennels, with one canine boarder in such poor condition it had to be put down.
Billy Woodhouse ran Hatton Boarding Kennels in Shifnal, Shropshire, between July 2024 and January 2026, despite his licence having been suspended in October 2022.
He pleaded guilty to offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and Fraud Act 2006 earlier this year, with those under the latter including breaching the trust of customers who thought the kennels were being operated legitimately.
He also failed to ensure the welfare of a dog in his care - an animal which was euthanised on a vet's advice.
Licensing authority Shropshire Council said in several other cases "dogs [were] being returned home in a condition consistent with having received a very poor standard of care".
Mandy Beever, licensing manager for the council, said: "Pets are members of people's families and this case has caused a great deal of distress to those involved.
"I would like to recognise the resilience of the witnesses in this case and thank them for their crucial role in bringing Woodhouse to justice."
He has also been banned from keeping animals for 10 years.
The sentencing on 13 July at Telford Magistrates Court followed an investigation by the council's licensing team.
Woodhouse's licence had been suspended in 2022 after concerns were identified, including poor welfare standards.
The authority said he stated he would make improvements before reapplying for a licence, but instead simply continued to run the kennels.
"The sentence in this case recognises the seriousness of the crimes committed by Billy Woodhouse, the suffering caused to the animals in his care and the significant distress caused to their owners," Beever said.
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