Daves Aquarium stripped of its licence by Bolton Council
A PET shop has been stripped of its licence after concerns were raised about the health and wellbeing of its animals - but the owner is fighting back against Bolton Council's decision.
The long established Dave's Aquarium, on the outskirts of Bolton town centre, was visited by Trading Standards and the RSPCA last week and a number of animals were removed from the premises.
They included snakes, tarantulas, mice and birds.
A Bolton Council spokesman said: "Trading standards officers and officers from the RSPCA visited Dave’s Aquarium on Folds Road, Bolton, on July 22, in response to public concerns for the health and wellbeing of the animals.
"During the inspection, RSPCA officers removed several animals including reptiles, rabbits, mice and birds due to concerns.
"Health and safety issues at the premises were also raised and as a result, trading standards have declined to renew the business licence."
Dave's Aquarium is described as the UK's largest pet and aquatic superstore on its website.
Owner Peter Hemmingway, who has owned the store for 13 years,: "Our normal licence expired eight months ago. We would normally expect an inspection at that stage, and we would sort out any problems. That's not been the case because of Covid.
"When restrictions eased, they've come in completely mob-handed with a new set of regulations that we were not familiar with and have said we can't renew our licence - even though the rules have just come in to force.
"The regulations are wildly different from the ones we had two years ago. Size is the main difference. Under the new regulations, animals must have larger areas to be kept in.
"And Bolton Council were extremely unhappy that we were selling reptiles."
Dave's Aquarium was stripped of its licence last week
Recommendations made by Bolton Council, which Dave's Aquarium must comply with in order to regain its licence, include repairing the ceilings and walls.
They will also no longer be allowed to sell reptiles - a decision which Mr Hemmingway is in strong disagreement with.
He said the shop would work to meet the recommendations to get its licence back.
Mr Hemmingway said: "They gave us no warning and no opportunity to sort the problems out.
"The girls that work here, they really care about the animals, they're fully qualified and they take good care of them.
"The sheer scale of what they're asking for is making it almost impossible to get everything done as soon as possible.
"I completely disagree with not being allowed to sell reptiles. I'm looking at various legal ways because I think we are being treated unfairly. Everyone that works here loves animals Ââ€" there’s no animal cruelty whatsoever."
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