Business providing home boarding for dogs is sentenced

A business trading as 'Home from Home Dog Retreat' providing home boarding for dogs in Ellesmere Port has been prosecuted this week (29 March) at Chester Magistrates Court.

Amanda Le Bretton, (55) who now lives overseas was fined £750 for each of four charges of causing unnecessary suffering to dogs. Ms Le Bretton has been disqualified under section 34 (2), (3) and (4) of Animal Welfare Act 2006 and fined a total of £3,000 plus £1,235 prosecution costs and £190 victim surcharge.

Cheshire West and Chester Council originally revoked the licence of her home boarding business for dogs in Ellesmere Port in August 2022.

Ms Le Bretton is no longer permitted to run a dog home boarding or day care business.

In May 2021, the Council's Public Protection Service received an email which contained videos from security cameras showing footage of dogs in the care of Ms Le Bretton.

The video footage was shown to a local vet for an opinion on how the dogs were treated. The four charges in this prosecution involved Ms Le Bretton grabbing a dog around its neck, kicking a second dog, hitting another dog, and picking a toy breed up by the scruff of its neck, causing the dog to squeal repeatedly.

The vet confirmed that the licence holder's actions definitely caused anxiety and compromised the mental welfare of the dogs in her care.

The licence holder had an opportunity to appeal the decision to revoke the licence to the First Tier Tribunal in the General Regulatory Chamber.

the Bench expressed thanks to Cheshire West and Chester Council for bringing the prosecution in what was a sensitive case.

If you are looking for businesses that can be trusted to look after your pets always check that any home boarder used is licensed by the Council, this ensures that regular checks are made on the business and that officers have the powers to fully investigate any allegations made.