Cotswold boarder convicted of causing unnecessary harm

A Cotswold dog boarder has been prosecuted for offences relating to the Animal Welfare Act following the death of a dog in her care.

Sarah Bliss, from Daglingworth, pleaded guilty to two offences at a hearing earlier this week. The first offence was in relation to boarding dogs at her home address without a licence and the second offence was in relation to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

Cheltenham Magistrates Court heard a dog named Fig was in the care of Bliss when boarding in the kennels at her home address in August 2022.

Cotswold District Council stated that Bliss failed to provide any monitoring of the dogs for which she was responsible over a period of six hours during very hot temperatures. Bliss had failed to protect Fig and prevent unnecessary suffering caused by heatstroke, which caused the subsequent death of the dog later that day in the vet practice.

Bliss was not licensed to provide kennel boarding for dogs at that time. However, she had previously been licensed and despite taking on new bookings, had allowed the licence to lapse without renewing it.

Bliss was convicted of both offences after pleading guilty and received a £2,000 fine and has to pay a £400 victim surcharge. Full court costs were also awarded to the council.

Councillor Juliet Layton, Cabinet Member for Development Management and Licensing, said: “Animal cruelty is a despicable crime and Cotswold District Council will not hesitate to take action whenever we learn offences are being committed. This verdict should act as a deterrent to anyone who neglects or ill-treats an animal in their care.”

Bliss showed remorse for what had occurred and has since closed the kennels.