I am writing under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to request the following information concerning unlicensed dog boarding establishments (kennels, home boarding, dog daycare, etc.) within the authority’s area over the past five years (2021–2025 inclusive — or the most recent five year period for which data is held).

1. The total number of investigations / enforcement actions your authority has opened in that period into unlicensed dog boarding / animal boarding establishments (kennels, catteries, day care, home boarding, etc.).

2. For each such investigation / enforcement action:
o Name and (full or partial) address / postcode of the premises (or a unique reference ID)
o Date when investigation/enforcement began
o Type of alleged breach (e.g. operating without a licence; unlicensed boarding; failure to meet licence/animal welfare standards)
o Outcome of the investigation (e.g. licence issued, prosecution, closure, warning, no further action)
o If prosecution: date of conviction, offence, penalty/outcome (fine, ban, destruction of licence, etc.)

3. The number of complaints or reports received by your authority (from public, other agencies or referrals) relating to suspected unlicensed animal boarding / dog boarding establishments over that period (2021–2025).

Prosecution (2023)
We can confirm a prosecution was brought by Wokingham Borough Council against Darrel Evans in connection with unlicensed animal activities. The case involved operating without a licence under animal welfare legislation, alongside fraud and unfair trading offences.
Outcome: Suspended custodial sentence, rehabilitation activity requirement, and financial penalties including compensation and costs.
This is the only prosecution of this nature recorded during the period referenced.

Complaint (2025)
We recorded one complaint in 2025 relating to a suspected unlicensed dog boarding establishment within Wokingham Borough.

Inspection Non-Compliance (2025)
We can confirm that there is a tribunal scheduled to take place in early 2026 relating to a refusal to grant a licence. The refusal is based on non-compliance with vaccination requirements under the relevant animal welfare and licensing regulations.
As this matter is ongoing and subject to legal proceedings, we are unable to provide further details at this time. Disclosure of case-specific information could prejudice the outcome of the tribunal and is therefore exempt under Section 31(1)(g) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (exercise of regulatory functions).