South Staffordshire charity ordered to temporarily stop boarding animals amid welfare court case
A South Staffordshire animal refuge charity has been ordered to temporarily cease accepting further animals as part of bail conditions following a court hearing this week.
Three defendants appeared at Cannock Magistrates Court on Tuesday to face charges under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, in connection with Carers Anonymous Animal Refuge Sanctuary in Essington.
Facing charges of causing unnecessary suffering to animals and failing to meet the care needs for animals were Karen Smith, 69, of Crook Lane in Walsall, Anthony Barrett, 78, of Red Lane in Essington; and Kayleigh Leavesley, 33, of Roberts Green Road in Upper Gornal.
A fourth defendant, the charity Carers Anonymous Animal Refuge Sanctuary, did not appear in court and was not represented.
Leavesley indicated she would be entering a plea of not guilty, while Barrett and Smith gave no indication.
Officers from South Staffordshire Council, alongside other partner agencies, executed warrants at the charity on November 19, 2024, and February 25 this year, following complaints relating to the welfare of the animals at the premises.
Magistrates imposed bail conditions on all four defendants, preventing them from breeding dogs or cats; advertising animals for sale; or accepting any further animals for rehoming or boarding at the premises until the next court hearing.
The case has now been referred to Stafford Crown Court, where a plea and trial preparation hearing will take place on October 6.
