GEORGINA BODLE CONVICTED IN TAMWORTH FOR ANIMAL NEGLECT AND ILLEGAL BREEDING

Backyard breeder Georgina Charlotte Bodle, born on 16 March 1993, of 41 Barnbridge, Tamworth B77 1DE, was convicted in 2025 for severe animal neglect and operating an illegal whelping business. Bodle, a mother of one, ran a dog boarding and whelping service from her three-bedroom semi-detached rental home on Portleys Lane, Drayton Bassett, Tamworth, without any license.

In March 2023, environmental health officers from Lichfield District Council obtained a warrant to search the property. They discovered 32 dogs, including 12 puppies, living in deplorable conditions. The floors were covered with faeces and urine, and many dogs were confined in small cages that offered no space to move or access to water.

Bodle pleaded guilty in January 2025 to five offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. A council spokesperson described the case as "a dreadful case where a significant number of dogs were found being kept in atrocious conditions in a small, rented property."

They additional stated, "The environmental health officers entered Bodle’s property on her 30th birthday. Instead of providing water for the dogs, cleaning up the faeces and urine, or exercising the animals, Bodle was found having a birthday meal with a friend. Some of the dogs were not owned by Bodle but were entrusted into her care by unsuspecting members of the public."

The spokesperson emphasized that Bodle’s actions were driven by greed, neglecting her animals and operating a business without a license. "I hope this sends a message that our environmental health officers will take robust action against anyone neglecting animals in Lichfield district," they added.

As part of her sentence, Bodle received a 12-month community service order, was ordered to pay £2,235 in penalties, and was disqualified from dealing in animals for five years, a ban set to expire in March 2030.