Drayton Bassett dog boarder prosecuted for animal welfare offences

A dog boarder based in Drayton Bassett in Lichfield, Staffordshire, has been prosecuted for a series of animal welfare offences.

Environmental health officers from Lichfield District Council found 32 dogs, including 12 puppies, inside Georgina Bodle’s rented home after obtaining a warrant to enter the property in March 2023.

Some of the floors of the three-bedroom semi-detached property were covered in faeces and there was a strong smell of urine. Some dogs were found in cages unable to move while others had no access to water.

Lichfield District Council had received complaints that Bodle, 31, was advertising a number of services from her home in Portleys Lane. These included dog boarding, breeding dogs, and a whelping service.

Bodle, who did not have a licence, failed to cooperate with environmental health officers, leading to them obtaining a warrant to enter her home in March 2023.

Bodle, who no longer lives at the property, pleaded guilty to five offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 at Cannock Magistrates Court.

After hearing of the plea, Lichfield District Council Cabinet Member Councillor Alex Farrell, said: “This was a dreadful case where a significant number of dogs were found being kept in atrocious conditions in a small, rented property.

“Some of the dogs were not owned by Bodle but were entrusted into her care by unsuspecting members of the public.  Motivated by greed, Bodle was caught failing to meet the needs of the dogs and the court will now determine what sentence is appropriate.

“I hope this sends a message that our environmental health officers will take robust action against anyone neglecting animals in Lichfield District.”

Bodle was bailed to return there for sentencing on 27 March 2025. The maximum penalty for these offences under the Animal Welfare Act is 51 weeks imprisonment and an unlimited fine.