Rosedene Rescue Centre under investigation for 'selling dogs without a licence'
A dogs' home which has previously been shut down over animal welfare concerns is under investigation again – amid allegations it is selling dogs illegally.
Walsall Council is currently investigating Rosedene Rescue Centre after it received reports dogs were being sold from the site without a licence.
The centre has strenuously denied the allegations.
It comes after the home was forced to close in January last year after volunteers removed more than 20 animals claiming they were ‘at risk’.
The centre said the dogs were stolen and West Midlands Police was called to investigate. No one has been arrested.
Back in 2010 Rosedene was raided by the RSPCA which shut it down and seized 56 dogs, destroying three of them, due to the conditions at the centre. It was allowed to reopen four months later.
Walsall Council previously investigated the home in 2017 after fears of a rat infestation were raised.
Dozens of protestors took to the streets outside Walsall Council house in February last year to demonstrate against the centre's re-opening.
The centre later reopened after undergoing extensive refurbishment, including a new heating system being installed.
Rosedene does not need a licence to operate as a rescue centre but it does to sell dogs.
The Express & Star understands that Walsall Council has written to Rosedene to remind them of this.
Councillor Garry Perry, Walsall Council's portfolio holder for community, leisure and culture said: “Rosedene is currently open as a rescue centre, for which a licence is not required.
"The environmental health team has received some complaints that Rosedene Rescue Centre management are carrying out licensable activity on site without a licence and this is being investigated.
“Any eye witnesses who would be prepared to make a statement about these allegations are encouraged to contact the council’s environmental health team.
“We treat animal welfare very seriously and understand people are passionate about this in relation to Rosedene.
However equally we have to obtain supporting evidence to take any formal action upon investigation of a complaint, which is why requests for eye witness statements are made.”
Anyone who can provide evidence is asked to contact environmentalhealth@walsall.gov.uk
Rosedene Rescue Centre says it only accepts donations for the dogs it re-homes and does not sell them.
A volunteer added: "We do not care about the money, we just want dogs to go to the right home."
