Forest of Dean District Council secures Animal Welfare Act 2006 conviction and five year disqualification order

Forest of Dean District Council has successfully prosecuted an individual for offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. At Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 18 August 2026, Deborah Oakley was sentenced after pleading guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to one dog and three fish, and to failing to meet the needs of animals in her care.

The warrant. A warrant was executed at a property in Ruardean occupied by Ms Oakley on 26 March 2025, by officers from the Council’s Street Warden team and Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit, assisted by Gloucestershire Police. Officers found evidence of poor hygiene and an accumulation of waste throughout the property, with animals kept in conditions consistent with neglect over a long period.

The seizure. During the operation, a dog, three cats, three fish and a bird were seized due to concerns for their health and living conditions. Ms Oakley was present and informed of the seizure. She later agreed to sign over ownership of the dog and two of the cats to the Council, but refused to do so for the remaining cat, the bird and the fish.

Sentencing. Ms Oakley was sentenced to 12 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 24 months. The court also granted a Deprivation Order for the fish, which remain in foster care, and a Disqualification Order preventing her from owning, keeping or participating in the keeping of any animal for five years. She was ordered to pay £500 towards prosecution costs and a £154 victim surcharge. A second defendant in the case has also pleaded guilty and is due to be sentenced next month.

Cllr Adrian Birch, Leader of Forest of Dean District Council, said:

I would like to thank everyone involved in investigating this case and bringing this successful prosecution. We must all do everything we can to prevent animals from being subjected to such suffering.

The owner, or person caring for an animal, has the responsibility to ensure the animal is protected, kept free from pain and nurtured in a safe environment.

The team at Forest of Dean District Council do a fantastic job of ensuring that animals in our district are looked after properly and will hold those accountable should they find any animal has been mistreated. Today’s sentencing should stand as a testament to this.

If you have any welfare concerns for animals that you are aware of, please do not hesitate to contact our street warden team at street.wardens@fdean.gov.uk.

Full details are available from Forest of Dean District Council.