A woman who caused a dog's death from heatstroke while illegally running a boarding kennels in the Cotswolds last summer has been fined £2,000.

Sarah Bliss, of Upper Rectory Farm, Daglingworth, near Cirencester, Gloucestershire, pleaded guilty at Cheltenham Magistrates Court on Monday (March 6) to running kennels without a licence and causing unnecessary suffering to a dog called 'Fig.'

Cotswold District Council, which brought the prosecution, said: "The Court heard that 'Fig' was in the care of Mrs Bliss when boarding in the kennels at her home address in August 2022.

"The council stated that Mrs Bliss failed to provide any monitoring of the dogs for which she was responsible over a period of 6 hours during very hot temperatures.

"Mrs Bliss had failed to protect 'Fig' and prevent unnecessary suffering caused by heatstroke - the condition whereby a body overheats resulting in multiple organ failure - which caused the subsequent death of the dog 'Fig' later that day in the vet's practice.

"Mrs Bliss was not licensed to provide kennel boarding for dogs at that time. However, Mrs Bliss had previously been licensed and despite taking on new bookings, had allowed the licence to lapse without renewing it.

"Mrs Bliss received a £2,000 fine and has to pay a £400 victim surcharge. Full court costs were also awarded to the council.

"Mrs Bliss showed remorse for what had occurred and has since closed the kennels."

Cllr Juliet Layton, cabinet member for development management and licensing at Cotswold District Council, said: "I am very grateful for the work of our licensing team and the counter fraud and enforcement unit on this case.

"It is positive news to hear about the successful outcome of this prosecution.

"Animal cruelty is a despicable crime and Cotswold District Council will not hesitate to take action whenever we learn offences are being committed. This verdict should act as a deterrent to anyone who neglects or ill-treats an animal in their care."