Woman posing as dog care professional sentenced

A woman posing as a dog care professional in Drayton Bassett, Staffordshire, has been as been sentenced to community service for animal neglect.

Georgina Bodle appeared at Cannock Magistrates’ Court on 27 March, having pleaded guilty on 20 January to five offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

The 32-year-old was prosecuted after environmental health officers launched an investigation following complaints that Bodle was advertising a dog boarding and whelping service.

Bodle failed to cooperate with the environmental health officers, leading to them obtaining a warrant to force entry into her rented home in Portleys Lane, Drayton Bassett in March 2023.

Inside the three-bedroom semi-detached property officers found 32 dogs, including 12 puppies. Some of the floors in the property were covered in faeces and urine. Dogs were found in small cages without room to move easily and with no access to water.

Bodle, who gave her current address as Barnbridge, Tamworth, was sentenced to a 12-month Community Order and ordered to pay a fine, victim surcharge and costs totalling £2,234. She was also disqualified from dealing in animals for five years.

A spokesperson for Lichfield District Council said: “The environmental health officers entered Bodle’s property on her 30th birthday. Instead of finding her providing water for the dogs, clearing up the faeces and the urine, or exercising the dogs, Bodle was found having a birthday meal with a friend.

“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 neglecting the dogs and operating this as a business without a licence.

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