ENFIELD Council is planning a massive crackdown on sub-standard pet shops and animal boarding houses.

The new legislation, which was approved by the licensing committee last week, follows concerns raised by the deaths of two pets in a cattery during the floods which hit the borough in 2000, and the revelation that an Enfield pet shop sold a lion to an undercover reporter.

Pet shop owners and animal boarding establishment chiefs will now have to abide by much stricter rules regarding the staff they employ and the training they give. The supervision of animals, especially during floods or other emergencies will also have to be improved in order to secure a licence.

They will also be required to display, in a prominent position, their public liability insurance certificates and vets' agreements.

The modifications to the pet shop licence requirements also forbid shops to carry out pet auctions.

Cllr Bill Price, chaiman of the council's licensing committee, this week praised the work of officers in compiling the revised licensing proposals.

He told the Independent: "Some establishments highlighted in the BBC documentary last year were kept in appalling and filthy conditions.

"Animals are close to a lot of people's hearts in the borough and it is good that any breach of these new regulations will lead to a prosecution."

He added: "It is most important that we, as an authority, accept this with open arms. I commend it to the council."

The report was approved by the licensing committee, but needs to be considered by the full council to be given the final go-ahead.

April 30, 2003 10:00