Hatfield kennels fined £64,000 for not having licence 

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council has successfully prosecuted a local animal boarding business for not having the required licence for a second time. 

Glendee Kennel and Cattery and company owner Georgina Armstrong were found guilty of running a cat and dog boarding business without a licence St Albans Magistrates Court.  

As part of the sentencing, Glendee has been fined £64,000 and both company and Georgina Armstrong were given a four-year disqualification from owning or participating in the keeping of cats and dogs. 

The council first began investigating Glendee Kennel and Cattery when the premises failed to renew its licence in March 2021. 

Despite receiving several warnings and instructions on how to comply with the law, the owners of the premises failed to apply for a new licence to provide boarding and day care for animals. In May 2022 and March 2023, council enforcement officers visited the premises and confirmed that they were still operating illegally, and warrants were executed. Legal action was taken and Glendee and Georgina Armstrong were both prosecuted on 21 June 2023, for trading without a licence under The Animal Welfare Act 2006. 

Councillor James Broach, Executive Member for Governance, said: “Having a licence in place ensures that animal boarding facilities meet the necessary animal welfare standards and we urge residents to ask to see a valid animal boarding/breeding licence before using a kennels or purchasing a puppy.”