Family rage at unlicensed sitter after dog dies

A dog owner said she felt "rage and anger" after her family's pet died in the care of an unlicensed boarder.

Hero, a six-year-old Leonberger who lived with the family in Felsted, Essex, was left unattended for what prosecutors described as a "significant" length of time and was not monitored for signs of overheating.

Charlotte Sutton, from Braintree, was given a 26-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on 15 July, after being found guilty of causing an animal unnecessary suffering.

Leighanne Ship said her family still felt guilty for leaving their dog in Sutton's care.

"We just feel so much rage and anger that someone could just blatantly lie with so much disrespect for the people they're taking the money from, and then not delivering proper care of the animals at all," she said.

Sutton was found guilty of a second offence - trading without the appropriate licence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

She was also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, to contribute £10,000 towards Braintree District Council's prosecution costs and pay a victim surcharge of £154.

In August 2024, the family left Hero with Sutton while attending a wedding. They had used her service a few times without a problem.

They requested Hero - who grew to 10.5 stone and had a double coat - only be walked early in the morning or late at night, for a maximum of half an hour.

They decided to return a day early as they were worried about the summer heat.

But before they could be reunited with their pet, Ship said Sutton phoned them in tears, saying Hero was motionless.

Ship said it felt "unfair" they did not get to say goodbye to Hero, who had been with the family since 2018.

"When your dog dies you expect to be with them at the end, to be able to comfort them in their last moments," said Ship.

"That for us has been the hardest part of everything. [It] was the guilt that we felt leaving him with her and not being with him at the end and him being alone and us not being able to comfort him in his final hours."

She said Hero was a "chilled and unbothered" family dog, with a smile "like he was so happy to see you".

"Nothing triggered him. You could have him out in fireworks and he would just look at it with amazement and wonder. He was just so calming to be around."

Toby Williams, the council's Conservative cabinet member for leisure and wellbeing, said: "The loss of a pet is devastating, and this case highlights the importance of ensuring anyone caring for your pet is officially licensed."

He urged anyone who suspected someone was operating without a licence, to report them to the council.

Guidance on whether someone needs a dog boarding licence is available online.

Do you have a story suggestion for Essex? Contact us below.

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.