A woman has been sentenced after a much-loved pet dog died while in her care during an unlicensed home-boarding operation.
Braintree District Council has successfully prosecuted Charlotte Sutton, 26, of Lyons Hall Road, Braintree, for causing unnecessary suffering to Hero, a six-year-old Leonberger, and for operating a dog boarding service without the required licence.
Hero, who weighed 10.5 stone and had a thick double coat, was left unattended at Sutton’s property for a significant period on a very hot day on August 2, 2024, and later died.
The case was heard at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on July 15, before District Judge Williams. Sutton was found guilty of an unnecessary suffering offence under section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act and pleaded guilty to a separate offence relating to licensing or registration of activities involving animals under section 13 of the same act.
She received a 26-week suspended sentence, suspended for two years, was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and must pay £10,000 towards Braintree District Council’s prosecution costs, as well as a £154 victim surcharge.
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Hero’s owner, Leighanne Ship, paid tribute to her “gentlest, kindest and most patient” dog, describing him as a therapy animal whose “unique nature” brought comfort to many people. She said the loss had left “a space in our lives that can never be filled” but hoped the prosecution would act as a reminder of the importance of using properly licensed animal boarding providers.
Ms Ship added that if sharing her family’s experience stopped even one other family from going through the “heartbreak, uncertainty and anguish” they had endured, Hero’s legacy would help protect others. She thanked the council’s investigating officer for their “dedication, professionalism and determination” throughout the case.
Toby Williams, councillor for leisure and wellbeing at Braintree District Council, said: “The loss of a pet is devastating, and this case highlights the importance of ensuring anyone caring for your pet is officially licensed. If you have any concerns that someone is operating without a licence in the Braintree District, we urge you to report it to our licensing team to investigate.”
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