CHESTER PET SITTER CLAIRE LANGFORD SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY AND ILLEGAL BOARDING OF DOGS

Claire Langford, also known as Claire Curtis, a pet sitter residing at The Orchard, Plemstall Lane, Mickle Trafford, Chester CH2 4EN, was found guilty of serious animal welfare violations and operating an unlicensed pet boarding business. The case centered around her failure to seek urgent veterinary care for a four-year-old Shih Tzu named Blu, who was severely injured after an attack by another dog, a boxer, at Delamere Forest.

Langford had been entrusted with Blu’s care while his owners went on holiday, as their usual caregiver was unwell. Despite her responsibilities, she did not possess a valid license to operate a boarding facility, which is a legal requirement for such services. The incident occurred on the day Blu was dropped off, and tragically, he died later that same day. The dog’s owner, devastated, recounted her emotional pain in a victim impact statement, describing Blu as her “baby boy” and expressing profound grief over losing him after 13 years of companionship.

According to court proceedings, Langford provided four different accounts of the events leading up to Blu’s death, which took place while she was out with her own dogs and Blu at Delamere Forest. A veterinary pathologist testified that Blu had sustained multiple injuries, including bite marks and a severe 13cm wound around his neck. The injuries indicated a brutal attack, and the veterinarian concluded that Blu would have died approximately an hour after the incident. Despite the severity of his injuries, Langford failed to contact a veterinarian until after Blu had already succumbed, a neglect that contributed to her conviction for causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

Further court evidence revealed that Blu’s owner had left him in Langford’s care because her usual caregiver was unwell. The dog was dropped off the day before her departure, and the attack occurred later that same day. During the trial, Langford’s inconsistent explanations about the circumstances of the attack were scrutinized, revealing a pattern of dishonesty. The court also heard that Langford had previously owned kennels and claimed to have served as a judge at Crufts, although these claims did not influence her legal responsibilities in this case.

In her sentencing, Langford was ordered to pay £1,000 in compensation to Blu’s owners and £1,500 in court costs. She received a six-month curfew and was banned from applying for an animal boarding license for ten years. The court’s decision reflected the seriousness of her neglect and the suffering inflicted on Blu.

Following her sentencing on April 30, 2019, Langford attempted to appeal her conviction and sentence. She withdrew her appeal against her conviction two days before the hearing. Her appeal against the sentence argued that the incident was a one-off and that she was not operating a commercial boarding business, but the appeal judge dismissed these claims. The judge emphasized that Blu’s injuries were evident and serious, and that Langford, who had received training, should have recognized the signs of illness and distress. A recorded phone conversation with a veterinary receptionist, played during the trial, revealed Langford’s calm tone, contrasting with the upset staff, highlighting her lack of appropriate concern.

Due to her financial situation, the judge reduced the total amount payable, eliminated the costs, and shortened the curfew to one month with different hours. The case underscores the importance of proper licensing, animal welfare, and responsible pet care, especially for individuals entrusted with animals’ lives in Chester and surrounding areas.