Agenda item

A report by the Assistant Director (Localities) is attached.

A report by the Assistant Director (Localities) was submitted to the Licensing and Safety Panel in relation to a request from a licence holder to remove condition 28 from his Animal Boarding Establishment Licence. 

The Licensing Unit Manager read the report explaining that the Animal Boarding Establishment Act 1963 is the relevant legislation which relates to the boarding of dogs and cats.  The Council has specific conditions which relate to kennels, catteries and boarding of animals at domestic premises.

On 12 October 2010, the Licensing and Safety Panel considered and approved licence conditions relating to dog crèches in order to give more specific control in this growing market.          The report stated that in relation to condition 28 which states ‘full males, bitches in season and puppies under six months of age must not be boarded with other dogs’.  Bury Council adopted this particular condition in order to ensure the safety of all dogs attending a crèche.

Animal boarding licence AB0003 in the name of Stay N Play Doggy Day Care was issued on the 16 December 2016, valid for one year from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2017 and licences are renewed annually. 

The Licensing and Safety Panel considered a request on 19 January 2017 from Mr Millington, Managing Director of Stay N Play Doggy Day Care to remove condition 28 from the Animal Boarding Establishment Licence, however the Panel decided at that time to refuse the request. The Panel did Mr Millington’s experience and the training undertaken by him and his staff, but felt that as the crèche had only be open for a short time, further time was needed to enable him to demonstrate safety standards were met, the best care and welfare was provided and there were no complaints or concerns raised.

Subsequently on 19 May 2017, the Licensing Service received another request from Mr Millington to remove condition 28 and further information was received on 7 July 2017 from Millington’s representative.

Mr Millington and his representative, Mr Malcolm Hope, attended the meeting.  Mr Hope explained to the Panel the importance of dogs socialising from a very young age and that over 90 % of aggression in dogs is due to fear which could be addressed in a puppy for it to learn how to act and react with other dogs to give it confidence and find its place within a pack.  Mr Millington also explained how the dogs are integrated and any aggressive dogs are not accommodated. 

Mr Hope informed the Panel that Mr Millington was having to turn away a number of customers due to being unable to accept puppies under 6 months old.  Mr Millington provided a number of references and certificates to the Panel and general feedback from very satisfied customers and it was requested that with his knowledge, experience and practice that condition 28 be removed from his licence.

Delegated decision:

After carefully considering the written report, oral statements from the licence holder and his representative, and taking into consideration the written evidence, the Panel agreed unanimously to remove condition 28 from the licence.