Merthyr Tydfil doggy daycare fined for misleading advertising
Dogsden Day Care Ltd and its Director Julian Bones fined for misleading advertising at Merthyr Magistrates Court after a trading standards investigation.
A Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council Trading Standards investigation centred on the advertising of services offered by Dogsden Day Care Ltd. Social media and website claims were made that gave the impression that the company was licensed to carry out its activities by the local authority when this was not the case during the period of the investigation last year.
Both Bones and Dogsden Day Care Ltd pleaded guilty to eight offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.
The company received a financial penalty totalling £2,378, which included fines, costs and a surcharge. Bones received a total financial penalty of £1,210.
The District Judge, who presided over the hearing, concluded that it was not a deliberate or intentional offence, but came about through the defendant’s circumstances and difficulties and not dealing with matters as they should.
Craig Rushton, Trading Standards Team Leader, said: “This prosecution sends a clear message that business must be careful on how they advertise not to mislead the public.
“If circumstances change then it is extremely important that any promotion of commercial activities are updated accordingly so not to be misleading otherwise it may lead to prosecution.”
