Complaints made after animal activity licence backlog

It's taking North Devon Council up to 6 months

Complaints have been received by North Devon Council about the length of time it takes to issue licences for animal activities.

The council says it is experiencing up to a six-month backlog because of the time-consuming application process and new training requirements for inspectors.

Licences are needed for activities such as pet sales, animal boarding, hiring out horses, breeding dogs or training animals for exhibition.

The council’s licensing and community safety committee heard that the list of requirements for dog breeders fills two and half sides of A4 and an inspection is 78 pages long.

“It is quite onerous for businesses and our staff,” said lead environmental health officer for commercial regulation Katy Nicholls.

The authority currently has just one animal licensing officer and staff inspecting premises had to have a level 3 qualification.

“It’s very busy and we have a backlog and complaints about how long it is taking us,” said the officer. “We now have a page on our website where the public can look at pending applications to help businesses gain that level of transparency. This has gone some way to appease people.

“The fact that you need to be a qualified inspector now it making it burdensome on local authorities.”

She urged people to apply in good time of renewal dates, especially applicants don’t want to lose a high star rating.