Canterbury City Council has won a court injunction to stop a firm of dog breeders operating anywhere in the district.

Doodlepets became notorious after dead puppy carcasses were left strewn on a road between Canterbury and Whitstable last year.

The injunction also applies to two individuals – Angela Manning, Doodlepets’ sole director, and Ian Thomas, who has been involved in running the firm.

The company, which breeds cockapoo puppies, is based in Pilgrims Lane, Whitstable.

Council officers gained the injunction at a hearing at Margate County Court yesterday. It is a permanent injunction and can only be lifted if the company, or the individuals, applies for, and are granted, a breeding licence from the council.

The council was also awarded £750 in costs.

The injunction covers the whole of Canterbury district. Council officers will be making neighbouring local authorities aware of the case.

Officers are also working with the RSPCA regarding the dogs that are still at the premises in Pilgrims Lane.

Doug Rattray, the council’s head of safer neighbourhoods 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.”

Thomas, 42, found himself at Canterbury Magistrates Court after bin bags containing dead puppies along with documents relating to Doodlepets were found on Fox’s Cross Road off the A290 between Canterbury and Whitstable in July.

He was fined £960 and ordered to pay more than £400 in costs in that case.

The breeder claimed that he had been transporting the dead dogs, which are classed as industrial waste, to a tip when the bags they were in fell off a trailer.

He apologised for the incident and was fined and ordered to pay costs.