Forest of Dean District Council (FODDC) has prosecuted an individual for offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
A Forest of Dean resident, Jeremy Awdry was sentenced in February 2021 for offences in relation to animal welfare and the breeding of dogs without a licence. Mr Awdry pleaded guilty to the offences at a Crown Court hearing. He received a suspended sentence, an indefinite ban on keeping dogs, and was placed on a tag for 6 months with a curfew order of 7pm to 7am.
Shortly after the hearing, information was received that Mr Awdry was still in possession of dogs at his premises and was in breach of the disqualification order. The matter was investigated by the officers from the Street Warden and Counter Fraud teams at Forest of Dean District Council.
On two separate occasions, Mr Awdry was witnessed flouting that ban – by Council officers and Gloucestershire Police. He was seen to be either in control of dogs, or transporting them in his van, both of which constitute a breach of the banning order.
Appearing at Cheltenham Magistrates Court today, the 1st of February 2022, Jeremy Awdry from Bream pleaded guilty to 2 offences of breaching the disqualification imposed on him. He was sentenced to 25 weeks imprisonment. Three weeks for each of the charges today and 19 weeks imposed in relation to the suspended sentence. Full costs were also awarded to the Council.
Forest of Dean District Council’s Animal Welfare Member Champion, Councillor Nicky Packer said,
“Our Street Warden team do a fantastic job year round of ensuring that animals in our district are looked after properly, and that those who mistreat or cause harm to their animals are held accountable.
“Today’s verdict should stand as testament to this. A ban on keeping dogs means exactly that. If, as in this case, it isn’t followed, our Street Warden and Counter Fraud and Enforcement team will enforce it.”
The prosecution was undertaken by Forest of Dean District Council’s Legal Services team working with the Council’s Street Wardens Team and Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit (CFEU). Members of the public can contact the Council with any concerns about animal welfare by email [email protected] or the CFU by email at [email protected]