A HAMPSHIRE woman has been told to shut her dog kennels because she does not have permission to run the business from her council-owned property.

Niki Laidlaw, who runs Kollie Cove Dog Rescue in Fareham, has been told by the borough council that she has until September 1 to wrap up the business or further action will be taken.

The 51-year-old obtains border collie puppies from farms across Wales, which she then keeps for a few months before selling on.

She claims the dogs rescued are usually runts of the litter which would be destroyed.

Ms Laidlaw does not have consent from the council, which is her landlord, to run the business but is arguing that she should be able to continue trading as she has never received any complaints and keeps the property “immaculately” clean.

Niki said: “It’s been heart-breaking to think that the council have issued this ultimatum, I have never any problems until recently when one anonymous person complained.

“Everyone whom I have met has been absolutely amazing and it’s been great to think that all of the dogs rescued have gone to caring families.

“You get the best feeling in the world when you’re saving puppies from being killed because you are giving them a home.”

Ms Laidlaw, who has seven of her own dogs, has been running the business for the last four-and-a-half years and in that time has found homes for 100 puppies.

A spokesperson for Fareham Borough Council said: “Anyone wanting to run a boarding service and/or sell puppies from their home must seek permission from their landlord (us) first – plus once permission has been given, then apply for and be granted the relevant licences ahead of trading.

“If any of our tenants breach their tenancy agreement by not taking the above into account, then the necessary action will be taken.”

Ms Laidlaw is now looking to apply to become a charity so she will not need the relevant licences from the local authority.

She is also looking for land within a 10-mile radius of Fareham to rehome Kollie Cove.

She added: “I need the help of the local public to find a new site and hopefully by September I will have a result.”