Animal ban for woman who left dogs in faeces

A woman who kept dogs in a property covered in faeces and urine, with no access to water has been sentenced after pleading guilty to animal neglect.

Georgina Bodle, 32, claimed to run a dog boarding and whelping service from her rented home in Portleys Lane, Drayton Bassett, in March 2023.

Inside the three-bedroom semi-detached property officers found 32 dogs, including 12 puppies, some of which were kept in small cages without room to move easily.

Bodle, of Barnbridge, Tamworth, has been banned from dealing in animals for five years, and was sentenced to a 12-month community order at Cannock Magistrates on Thursday.

A Lichfield District Council spokesperson said many of the dogs that were found were kept in "atrocious conditions" in a small, rented property with faeces and urine across the floors.

The authority launched an investigation into Bodle following complaints and later forced entry into her home after she failed to co-operate.

"Instead of finding her providing water for the dogs, clearing up the faeces and the urine, or exercising the dogs, Bodle was found having a birthday meal with a friend," a council spokesperson added.

"Some of the dogs were not owned by Bodle but were entrusted into her care by unsuspecting members of the public.

"Motivated by greed, Bodle was caught neglecting the dogs and operating this as a business without a licence".

Bodle was also ordered to pay a fine, victim surcharge and costs totalling £2,234.

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