Man fined after dog died in hot van at Hertfordshire kennels
A man who left a dog inside a van on a hot day for two hours outside a Hertfordshire boarding kennels has been fined after pleading guilty to causing unnecessary suffering after the pet died.
Jeremy Burrowes, 66, co-owner of Country Boarding, admitted causing the dog’s death at Stevenage Magistrates’ Court.
Luna, a pug, had been at her owners’ wedding on 8 July 2022 and was then taken by Country Boarding to its kennels near Baldock.
At the time of Luna’s death, the kennels’ co-owner Renate Burrowes wrote on social media that her husband Jeremy had picked up Luna from the wedding venue and brought her back to the kennels at 3pm.
She said her husband had been called away “urgently” and she did not find Luna until 5pm, by which time the dog was “unresponsive… [and] despite trying I could not revive her”.
Jeremy Burrowes admitted one count of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal when he appeared at court.
North Hertfordshire District Council, who took the case to court, said in a statement: “This was an incredibly sad incident and heartbreaking for Luna’s owners.
“As the licensing authority it was important we took action and we are satisfied with the order of the court.”
Country Boarding released a statement to the BBC following the court case, in which it said: “No words will ease the distress of Ffion and Ben [Luna’s owners] but we do want again to state how deeply sorry we are for the death of their beloved pet Luna and for the unintended suffering she went through.
“Mr Burrowes accepts full responsibility for the awful consequences that day and feels continuing remorse that he became distracted by other tasks, leaving Luna stranded until it was too late.
“Since this happened he has given up any animal handling responsibilities and his role is now entirely administrative.”
A fine of £750 was imposed during the hearing, along with a contribution of £2,500 towards the council’s costs.
A further £300 victim surcharge was also imposed.
