CRAIG HALLS OF STAPLEFORD SHOCKS COMMUNITY WITH CRUELTY AT UNLICENSED KENNELS IN NOTTINGHAM

Craig William Halls, a resident of Stapleford, Nottingham, born in December 1973, has been convicted of severe animal cruelty and operating an unlicensed boarding kennel facility. His address at the time of the offense was 101 Bessell Lane, Stapleford, NG9 7BX.

Halls was running what he claimed to be a luxury kennel service for pet owners, but investigations revealed a disturbing reality: dogs were being kept in deplorable conditions, starved, and confined in filthy cages. These cages were often covered in their own feces and urine, with the animals suffering from neglect and poor health.

Halls, who previously faced murder charges in 2012 alongside others—charges that ultimately did not lead to a conviction—had been operating Stapleford Luxury Boarding Kennels on Bessell Lane without any legal license for several years. The true extent of the neglect and the grim conditions of the kennels only came to light in August 2023, when authorities uncovered the full scope of the cruelty.

During the Bank Holiday weekend of 2023, Nottinghamshire Police responded to urgent concerns raised by pet owners who were unable to contact Halls to retrieve their dogs. Upon arrival, officers discovered a heartbreaking scene: multiple dogs had been confined in their kennels for days without access to food or water. Many of the animals exhibited clear signs of suffering, including weight loss, matted fur, and general poor health.

The police, working alongside the RSPCA, successfully reunited the distressed animals with their owners. Additionally, the animal welfare team removed several dogs that belonged to Halls himself, which had also been neglected. The investigation revealed that Halls had been operating the kennels illegally, despite his claims of providing a luxury service.

Liam Reynolds, who was a co-director of Stapleford Boarding Kennels Limited from October 2021 until its dissolution in December 2021, was also linked to the business. While his exact role in day-to-day operations remains unclear, his LinkedIn profile suggests he was actively involved in managing the kennels.

Halls faced legal action from Broxtowe Borough Council for running the kennels without a license, as well as from the RSPCA for animal neglect. During court proceedings, he pleaded guilty to two charges: causing unnecessary suffering to dogs and operating a commercial dog boarding facility without the required license, covering the period from March to August 2023.

In sentencing, Halls received a 26-week custodial sentence, which was suspended for 18 months. He was also ordered to pay costs totaling £1,500 and was indefinitely banned from owning, keeping, dealing, or transporting any animals. The case has drawn significant concern from the local community and animal welfare advocates, highlighting the importance of licensing and regulation in pet care facilities.