Two dog owners, John Cacace and Kelly Webb, have received lengthy bans on keeping dogs following the discovery of seven dogs and a litter of puppies living in cramped and filthy conditions at their premises in Arlingham, Gloucestershire.
Concerns about the animals' health were raised by an independent veterinary inspection. After a warrant was issued in June 2023, triggered by information from naturewatch.org regarding suspected unlicensed breeding and animal welfare issues, Stroud District Council seized the dogs under Section 20 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. All but one of the dogs have since been rehomed.
At Gloucester Crown Court on March 17, 2025, Cacace pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering, failing to provide an adequate environment, and breeding dogs without a licence. He was sentenced on March 30, 2025, to a 12-month community order, 100 hours of unpaid work, a 10-year disqualification from owning or caring for dogs, and ordered to pay £2,000 in costs. His disqualification also prohibits involvement in buying, selling, or influencing the care of any dog.
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Kelly Webb faced similar charges at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court on May 2, where she pleaded guilty to failing to meet the needs of the dogs and breeding without a licence. She received a nine-month community order, a five-year dog ownership ban, a £500 costs order, a £129 fine, and a £114 victim surcharge.
Councillor Chloe Turner, chair of Stroud District Council’s Environment Committee, emphasized the council’s commitment to animal welfare, stating: “The conditions these dogs were found in were unacceptable. We will continue to work diligently with our partners to protect animals and hold neglectful owners accountable.”
This investigation was a joint effort by Stroud District Council’s Animal Welfare Team, Gloucestershire Police, the Rural Crime Team, and the Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit, with legal proceedings supported by One Legal on behalf of the council.
Anyone with concerns about animal welfare is encouraged to contact Stroud District Council’s Animal Welfare team or report issues via email to the council’s fraud referral address.