Boss of boarding kennel business near Shifnal admits animal welfare offence, fraud and unlicensed activity
He admitted failing to ensure the welfare of a dog named Stewie
A man who ran a boarding kennel business near Shifnal has admitted an animal welfare offence, fraud and operating without a licence.
Billy Woodhouse, 27, ran Hatton Boarding Kennels off Wolverhampton Road as a sole trader, but a court heard the business is no longer trading “and hasn’t been for some time”.
Woodhouse, of Wolverhampton Road, had previously denied offences relating to activity at the site in the summer of 2024.
But at Telford Magistrates Court on Monday (June 1) he pleaded guilty to the three charges: failing to ensure the welfare of an animal, namely a dog called Stewie, which had been placed in his care by its owner; carrying on an animal-related activity, namely running boarding kennels, without a valid licence; and fraudulent activity by a sole trader, namely taking money to look after people’s dogs on the understanding he held a valid licence when that was not the case.
Martin McNamara, representing the defendant, told the court: “His licence had been suspended or he was asked to hand his licence in, he continued to trade for a period of time.”
The period covered by the offences was July and August 2024.
“There were 20 kennels at the premises,” Mr McNamara said. “The premises is no longer trading and hasn’t been for some time.
“My client clearly has a leading role in what’s happened because he’s running the business.”
Mr McNamara said the business’ turnover in the month-long period was about £2,500.
The magistrates ordered that probation officers prepare a report on Woodhouse before he is sentenced.
Lead magistrate Nicola Hughes told Woodhouse: “As you’ve heard, we need reports from probation.
“We’re going to ask for all categories to be open. We want you back on July 13.
“You must work with probation for those reports to be done.”