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A mother and daughter from Risca who netted an estimated £115,000 while operating an illegal dog business have appeared in court.

Deborah Jane Edwards and Lydia Perkins appeared at Newport Magistrates’ Court last month after being prosecuted by Caerphilly County Borough Council’ s Trading Standards.

Edwards, 64, of Cwrt Yr Ysgol, Risca, and 34-year-old daughter Perkins, of Ty Isaf Park Road, Risca, admitted charges under the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963, for operating without a licence, and the Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

Edwards also admitted offences under the Fraud Act 2006 for net telling customers she was operating an unlicensed ‘doggie daycare’.

Perkins was handed a £200 fine, ordered to pay an £80 victim surcharge and £2,000 in prosecution costs by magistrates on April 1.

Her mother is due to be sentenced at Newport Crown Court on April 27.

Caerphilly Council’s Trading Standards received a tip-off about the business and started an investigation.

Council officers and Gwent Police executed warrants in October 2024 at two premises in Risca suspected of being used for unlicensed dog boarding.

A total of 28 dogs were found at a commercial premises being used as a ‘doggy daycare’, which were overcrowded and did not meet the standard required of a licenced premises.

The court heard the women had been aware of the legal requirements but continued to trade without a licence between January 2023 and October 2024.

During the investigation, evidence found that large numbers of dogs were being boarded by the defendants, sometimes in the region of between 20 to 30 dogs at one time.

Pet owners were told that Trading Standards and council licensing were involved with the business – giving the impression it was legit.

A conservative estimate of the turnover made by the unlicensed business was calculated by the council and was found to be more than £115,000.

Cllr Philippa Leonard, cabinet member for public protection, said: “Animal boarding businesses, be it commercial kennels, home boarding or daycare, must be inspected and approved by the local authority to ensure they provide a safe and appropriate environment that meets the required standards.

“Animal welfare is a priority in Caerphilly, it is vitally important that businesses are licensed to protect members of the public and their pets, and that the public ensure that the person they are leaving their dog with is suitably licensed.

“Unlicensed boarding establishments are not regulated and ultimately take away from legitimately licensed premises. There are no guarantees that the business is able to meet the needs of our pets or have the required knowledge and training in relation to the animals they look after. They often prioritise profit over the safety, health, and welfare of our pets.”