Dog care centre licence suspended in ‘abuse’ inquiry
CHANTELLE HEEDS
ADOG day care business have had their business licence suspended while an investigation into alleged ‘dog abuse’ is ongoing.
Mucky Pups, on Harwood Road, Rishton came under fire when footage uploaded to Facebook appeared to show an employee hitting a dog, the use of shock collars and frightened dogs at the centre.
The images and video clips were updated by Chelsea Devine, who worked as an apprentice at the business from January until December last year. The 19-year-old claims she left due to ‘the abuse that was going on in the place’.
At the time, Mucky Pups issued a statement, since deleted, that claimed that footage was uploaded by an apprentice but did not provide full context as the man in the video had been bitten.
Mucky Pups has since deleted its Facebook page after being inundated with messages and poor reviews. A business with a similar name in Glossop has also been subject to poor reviews and angry messages but the two are not connected.
In response to the footage being shared, the RSPCA confirmed it had launched an investigation.
It has now been confirmed that Hyndburn Borough Council have suspended the business licence while the investigation continues.
Coun Loraine Cox, cabinet member for housing and regeneration, said: “We’ve been contacted with concerns about dog welfare and care at the facility and, having reviewed the evidence and liaised with the RSPCA, we have taken the decision to suspend Mucky Pups’ Animal Activity Licence whilst we carry out our own investigation.”
This means that Mucky Pups cannot provide animal care until the council’s investigation has been carried out.
Lauren Walker, managing director of Mucky Pups, declined to comment.