Shifnal kennels owner prosecuted for animal welfare offences
A Shifnal man who owned and ran a dog boarding kennels has received a 12 month custodial sentence (suspended for 12 months) and 10-year disqualification from keeping any animals, which cannot be appealed for five years, following an investigation by Shropshire Council’s licensing team.
He was further ordered to pay £1,000 of the council’s legal costs and a victims surcharge of £187.
Billy Woodhouse, who ran Hatton Boarding Kennels in Shifnal, pleaded guilty at two hearings earlier this year to offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and Fraud Act 2006.
In sentencing at Telford Magistrates Court on 13 July 2026 the court heard that between July 2024 and January 2026 Mr Woodhouse carried on the licensable activity of providing boarding for dogs in kennels without the required licence, breaching the trust of customers who had boarded their dogs with him in good faith believing him to hold a licence. In one instance Mr Woodhouse failed to ensure the welfare of a dog in his care to such an extent it had to be euthanised following being boarded there.
In October 2022, Shropshire Council suspended Mr Woodhouse’s kennel boarding licence for Hatton Kennels following concerns identified during inspections of the premises by licensing officers relating to non-compliance with licence conditions and poor welfare standards.
During the period of suspension, Mr Woodhouse surrendered his licence stating an intention to make improvements to the premises before reapplying. Instead, he continued to run the kennels without the necessary licence or making any improvements, leading in one case to a dog having to be euthanised on veterinary advice and in several other cases to dogs being returned home in a condition consistent with having received a very poor standard of care.
Mr Woodhouse was not only aware of the requirement for a licence, but also of the high standards of welfare required for businesses of this nature. He actively chose to surrender his licence rather than complying with those standards and carried on the business in a manner which ultimately led to the suffering of animals in his care.
Mandy Beever, transactional management and licensing manager with Shropshire Council. said:
“The sentence in this case recognises the seriousness of the crimes committed by Billy Woodhouse, the suffering caused to the animals in his care and the significant distress caused to their owners. Businesses carrying out animal activities are required to be licensed to ensure the standard of their care protects and promotes animal welfare. Billy Woodhouse chose to disregard the law and his duty of care to the animals he boarded, I hope the sentence imposed will serve as a strong warning to others carrying out any animal activities without the required licence.
“Pets are members of people’s families and this case has caused a great deal of distress to those involved. I would like to recognise the resilience of the witnesses in this case and thank them for their crucial role in bringing Mr Woodhouse to justice.”
Roger Evans, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for licensing said:
“This successful prosecution demonstrates that illegal animal activity businesses will not be tolerated in Shropshire, and the council will use the full extent of its powers to tackle them. I would like to commend the licensing team for this investigation and the key role they play in the promotion of animal welfare through supporting legitimate animal activity businesses and investigating illegal activities when they come to light.”
Anyone wishing to report concerns about licensed or unlicensed activities involving animals should contact Shropshire Council’s licensing team on licensing@shropshire.gov.uk.
