Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Communities attached.

The Director of Communities submitted a report for the General Licensing Sub-Committee to determine whether a new Animal Activities Licence should be granted for a Dog Day Care facility.

The Applicant and her representative (her mother) were present at the Sub-Committee.

The Public Protection Team Leader outlined the report and explained to members that on 16 July 2021 the General Licensing Sub-Committee heard an application for a Dog Day Care Licence from the applicant who, at the time, was subject to ongoing criminal court proceedings and had been charged with various offences. The General Licensing Sub-Committee decided to refuse the licence.

Since the previous meeting of the Sub-Committee, criminal court proceedings had been undertaken and the indictment was stayed due to an abuse of process on the prosecution’s part. Subsequently the applicant made a new application for an Animal Activities Licence – dog day care.

The Public Protection Team Leader explained that an inspection of the premises had been undertaken to see if it would be likely to meet the conditions. There were certain elements of the inspection which could not be fulfilled due to parts of the premises not being complete, however should the licence be granted a further inspection would take place to confirm that the work had been done. The Inspector had recommended a two-star licence which would remain valid for one year with at least one unannounced visit.

The applicant told members that at her last appearance before sub-committee  she felt as though she did not present herself well. The applicant clarified a previous statement and told members that although she said she would rescue dogs again; she would do so within the boundaries of the law. The dog day care would be for the community as a lot of dogs now have separation anxiety due to COVID as they are not used to being alone. The applicant explained that there was a lot of support within the community and that there are no other local providers of dog day care. This business was something she had always wanted to do and had undertaken a lot of research and completed online training.

Following a member enquiry, the applicant confirmed that she had completed a dog training qualification with the Dog Business School during the pandemic and there was a separate room which could be used as a training room for the dogs. The applicant explained that she would like to develop herself and staff further before expanding and offering training courses in the evening, such as puppy classes.

The Chair sought clarification from the applicant in relation to the statement made at the last hearing wherein she stated that she would absolutely do it [rescue and sell dogs] again. In response, the applicant explained that she was nervous and did not carry herself well. At the time she was rescuing the dogs, keeping them and nursing them back to health before selling them on. The prosecution had cost her a lot of money, stress and caused  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4