An unlicensed dog breeding firm has been slapped with a court injunction following legal action by the city council.

It prevents Doodlepets Ltd from breeding cockapoo puppies for sale or selling them anywhere in the Canterbury district.

The firm recently fell foul of the law after dead puppies were found strewn across a country lane, having fallen from a vehicle while being transported to the tip.

It led to the conviction of Ian Thomas, of Pilgrims Lane, Whitstable, for failing to prevent the escape of industrial waste who was fined £960.

The firm, whose sole director is his partner Angela Manning, has been refused a commercial dog breeding licence by the city council which gained the injunction after a hearing at Margate magistrates court on Wednesday and was also awarded £750 costs.

The company has recognised the ban on its website saying it is currently prevented from selling puppies due to "licensing restrictions".

It is a permanent injunction and can only be lifted if the company, or the individuals, applies for and granted a breeding licence from the council.

Its officers will be making neighbouring local authorities aware of the case and are liaising closely with the RSPCA regarding the dogs that are still at the premises in Pilgrims Lane.

The council’s head of safer neighbourhoods, Doug Rattray, said: “We’re very pleased the court granted the injunction. It sends a clear message that we will not tolerate unlicensed dog breeders in our district.”