Ban for dog sitters after pets die and disappear

The German Shepherd Shadow went missing while in the couple's care and has not been found

A couple who ran an illegal dog sitting service where one pet died under their care while another went missing have been banned from running the business and owning dogs.

Rachel and Owen Dempsey, of Liverpool, pleaded guilty to operating without a licence and were described by a judge as "amateur" and "incompetent at best", Liverpool City Council said.

Owners had reported their dogs were coming back sick, while in one case, a German Shepherd under their care disappeared and was never seen again by its owners.

The pair were charged after a council investigation and each was sentenced at Liverpool Magistrates' Court to a 12-month community order, handed a 12-week curfew and fined £250.

They were also disqualified from boarding dogs for seven years and banned from owning dogs for five years.

The council stepped in after receiving reports from a dog owner that their pet had died under the Fazakerley couple's care.

It discovered they had made £3,000 in just over a year after advertising services without licence.

'Tragic situation'

During the investigation, the council said more dog owners came forward to share reports of pets returning home sick, items going missing and beds being returned in such poor condition they had to be disposed of.

Another report was made that a German Shepherd called Shadow was taken in by the dog sitters for three weeks but was never seen again by its owners Terry and Lynn Maher.

Under the animal welfare laws, people providing home boarding for dogs as a business must hold a valid licence.

People have been urged to report any suspected unlicensed animal operations to the council, which said these operators "prioritise profit over proper animal welfare standards, putting peoples' pets at risk".

Councillor Laura Robertson-Collins, said: "This is a tragic situation, and we hope that the sentence sends a message that unlicensed dog boarding is completely unacceptable.

"Our pets are precious and it's important that, if we have to leave them in someone else's care, that person is properly licensed and qualified to look after them."