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A mother who ran an illegal dog boarding business with her daughter has avoided jail after being handed a suspended sentence.

Deborah Jane 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 not telling customers she was operating an unlicensed ‘doggie daycare’.

The pair had previously admitted wrongdoing at Newport Magistrates’ Court after being prosecuted by Caerphilly County Borough Council’ s Trading Standards.

The council had previously claimed the pair had made around £115,000, but during a hearing at Cardiff Crown Court, it was disclosed that while £119,000 had been made in bank transfers to accounts in Edwards’ name, the amount earned through illegal services provided was £60,359.

The court was also heard there was a possibility of a number of cash payments made which could not be accounted for.

In mitigation for Edwards, her barrister said the defendant had ‘forgotten’ to renew her licence in 2023 and didn’t want to disappoint her loyal customers by turning them away. She told the court Edwards had suffered with her mental health and felt deep shame.

Appearing at Cardiff Crown Court on May 14, Edwards was sentenced to one year imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to carry out a ten-day rehabilitation activity requirement and to pay £1,000 in costs.

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

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.

In a statement issued last month following the magistrates’ court hearing, 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.”