A KINGSWINFORD firm has been hit with £2k bill for hiring out donkeys without an appropriate licence.

Love My Event Ltd, of Brook House, Moss Grove, was fined £2,000, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £400 and costs of £985.

The firm's boss Daniel Morgan, of Greenway, Sedgley, pleaded guilty to four offences brought against him and his company, Love My Event Ltd, at Dudley Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday June 26, following an investigation by Dudley Council’s environmental health team.

The offences were contrary to sections 13(1) and 13(6) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

It was found that Morgan was running a company to hire out donkeys without the appropriate licence, even though he knew he needed one.

He claimed he was going to apply for one or was no longer operating that part of the business.

Without a licence in place, it meant the animals were not inspected by a vet and any public liability insurance would have been invalid.

The district judge fined Morgan £500 and ordered him to pay a victim surcharge of £200 and costs of £985.

Love My Event Ltd was fined £2,000, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £400 and costs of £985.

The total amount of £5,070 was backed by a 28-day collection order.

Christopher King, head of environmental health and trading standards, said: "The licence cost associated with this type of business is only £225, a lot less than Morgan and his business will now have to pay in fines and costs.

"Licences are there to protect consumers and the welfare of animals and are a legal requirement when running a business of this nature.

"I’m pleased with the outcome in court and hope this is a warning to others that we will check that businesses have all their paperwork in order."