Shifnal kennels owner prosecuted for animal welfare offences

The owner of a dog boarding kennels in Shifnal, Shropshire, has been prosecuted for animal welfare offences.

Billy Woodhouse, who ran Hatton Boarding Kennels in Shifnal, pleaded guilty at two hearings earlier this year to offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and Fraud Act 2006.

Telford Magistrates Court heard that between July 2024 and January 2026 Woodhouse carried on the licensable activity of providing boarding for dogs in kennels without the required licence, breaching the trust of customers who had boarded their dogs with him in good faith believing him to hold a licence.

In one instance, Woodhouse failed to ensure the welfare of a dog in his care to such an extent it had to be euthanised following being boarded there.

Shropshire Council suspended Woodhouse’s kennel boarding licence for Hatton Kennels in October 2022 after concerns identified during inspections of the premises by licensing officers relating to non-compliance with licence conditions and poor welfare standards.

Woodhouse surrendered his licence stating an intention to make improvements to the premises before reapplying. Instead, he continued to run the kennels without the necessary licence or making any improvements, leading in one case to a dog having to be euthanised on veterinary advice and in several other cases to dogs being returned home in a condition consistent with having received a very poor standard of care.

Mandy Beever, transactional management and licensing manager with Shropshire Council, said: “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.

“Businesses carrying out animal activities are required to be licensed to ensure the standard of their care protects and promotes animal welfare. Billy Woodhouse chose to disregard the law and his duty of care to the animals he boarded, I hope the sentence imposed will serve as a strong warning to others carrying out any animal activities without the required licence.”

Roger Evans, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for licensing said: “This successful prosecution demonstrates that illegal animal activity businesses will not be tolerated in Shropshire, and the council will use the full extent of its powers to tackle them.”

Woodhouse received a 12-month custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, and 10-year disqualification from keeping any animals, which cannot be appealed for five years.

He was further ordered to pay £1,000 of the council’s legal costs and a victims surcharge of £187.