A dog kennels and cattery at the centre of a modern slavery investigation is no longer licenced to breed or look after dogs and cats officials have revealed.
Licencing officers said animals at A1 Kennels and Cattery at Gatherley Road in Brompton on Swale, near Richmond, have been reunited with their owners. North Yorkshire Police confirmed last week they had arrested a 62-year-old woman at the property on suspicion of modern slavery offences.
They said a single alleged victim had been safeguarded, the 62-year-old was released under investigation with bail conditions.
RSPCA officers are also understood to have attended the site. This week North Yorkshire Council’s Assistant Director for Licensing, Paul Thompson, said: “We have received several inquiries as to the licensed status of A1 Kennels based on Gatherley Road in Brompton on Swale.
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“We would like to confirm that this establishment is no longer licenced for the breeding of dogs or kennelling of dogs and cats or any other activity.
“After being notified by the police about recent operations, we have ensured that all animals currently boarding at this establishment have now been reunited with their owners.
“We would like to stress that the public should only use licenced boarding kennels or buy puppies from licenced breeders. They are entitled to ask to see a copy of the licence or can check with us that an establishment or breeder is licensed.
“The licensing regime is there to maintain and improve standards and ensure industry welfare standards are adhered to.
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“In general, using unlicenced providers potentially runs the risk of promoting unlawful activity, driving down welfare standards and also disadvantaging business that comply with the licensing regime.”
A1 Boarding kennels have not responded to requests for comment. In 2005 the same premises was raided by RSPCA officers and 70 animals taken from the centre while investigations were carried out. North Yorkshire Police said current enquiries are ongoing.
Information on Companies House, the government site for businesses, has the two current officers listed for the firm as Linda and John Moran who were appointed as directors in November 2012.
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