Emma Guy was taken to court after she operated the business without a licence
Emma Guy is offering day care services despite being fined over illegal dog boarding
A Liverpool mum fined for running an illegal £27 a night dog boarding service is continuing to advertise animal assistance online. From her home in Belle Vale, Emma Guy offered home boarding for pets under the name Perfect Pets Home From Home, advertising across multiple websites.
On one dog-sitting page, Guy claimed to be trained in dealing with puppies and also shared photographs of her own American bully dog around small children, including her six-year-old son. Despite being contacted by Liverpool Council and informed of the legal requirements for home boarding, Guy failed to respond and continued to promote her services online.
She was slapped with a fine in her absence at Liverpool Magistrates Court last month. Despite this, Guy is now advertising day care services for dogs at £25 a day.
Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, individuals providing home boarding for dogs as a business must hold a valid licence. This is put in place to protect the wellbeing of animals and ensure that all pet care businesses operate responsibly.
According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) all dog day care activities need a licence if they’re carried out as a commercial business. To decide if an activity is a business and will need a licence, the operator must make any sale or carry out the activity to make a profit.
They will also earn any commission or fee from the activity. Inspections of her boarding advertisements by Liverpool Council raised serious concerns, including images showing dogs being fed potentially harmful human food and kept in close proximity to young infants.
One image on the dog sitting site Rover shows a little boy seemingly cuddling a dog. Guy, 40, of Maytree Close, Belle Vale failed to attend two court hearings and was found guilty in her absence.
She was ordered to pay £1,444 by November 20. On social media, Guy had posted just weeks before the court hearing advertising her business on the dog-minder locator website Rover via Facebook.
She wrote: “Check out my page if your looking for anyone to look after your fur babies.”
Reviews for her service were left six days before her scheduled appearance before magistrates. On her PetBacker profile, Guy said she knew what makes dogs happy and would not leave pets alone for long periods of time.
It said: “Pets will be treated like our own pet whilst here so to make the transition whilst mum and dad are away easier for them.
“We will tend to any need instructed by owners if there are any specific requirements.” She wrote how her American bully, named Hunter, is “great with kids” and “a huge part of my family.”
The profile added: “We enjoy hiding treats around the garden and testing the dogs sense of smell out trying to find them too. My son especially enjoys this game.
“I enjoy meeting other animals and letting owners have piece (SIC) of mind that their pet is being taken care of in a loving family environment and not locked in a kennel. They are treated as if they were our own.”