The well-being of our beloved canine companions is a top priority for any responsible pet owner. When entrusting a dog walking or daycare service with their care, trust and transparency are paramount. However, this exposé sheds light on significant alleged violations of dog daycare license rules and instances of neglect concerning dogs entrusted to The London Dog Walking Company between August 2020 and November 2022. This detailed account, compiled by a former employee, presents a stark picture that warrants serious attention from current and prospective clients of the london dog walking company and authorities alike. The information herein aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the operational deficiencies and ethical concerns that have reportedly plagued the company. For context, all observations are made against the backdrop of established regulations, such as the Dog Daycare Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities available on GOV.UK. This report delves into various aspects of the company’s operations, from facility management and animal welfare standards to staff treatment and legal entanglements, offering a critical perspective on the practices observed during the specified period.
Allegations of Neglect and Unlicensed Operations
The core of the concerns surrounding the london dog walking company revolves around alleged systemic disregard for animal welfare and regulatory compliance. The former employee’s testimony, supported by photographic and documentary evidence, paints a picture of a business prioritizing profit over the health and safety of the animals under its care. These allegations span various operational areas, from the physical premises where dogs were kept to the walking routines and staff conduct. Potential clients looking for reliable pet care services should be aware of these serious claims when considering a provider, as understanding the full scope of a company’s practices is crucial for making an informed decision. For individuals researching dog walking services, examining famous dog walkers might offer a contrasting view of reputable service models.
Overcrowding and Inadequate Premises
One of the most pressing issues highlighted is the severe overcrowding at the daycare premises located at 28 Aylmer Parade, London N2 0PE. Reports indicate that up to 44 dogs were collected and dropped off daily by only three staff members using three vehicles. At any given time, 24 dogs were reportedly kept in inadequately sized rooms, exceeding the stipulated limits for dog density in a single space. A narrative provided by the daycare manager, Natasha, confirmed the severe lack of appropriate bedding. The cramped and stressful conditions led to observable distress in the animals, including one anxious dog scratching relentlessly at a door, leaving bloodstains. These images provide a disturbing insight into the environment. Furthermore, a poorly constructed enclosure was reportedly used for two large dogs, raising further questions about the suitability of the facilities.
Blood stains and plastic shards on a door, indicative of a distressed dog scratching
The business owner, Mick Doran’s, response to reports of dogs’ paws bleeding due to these conditions allegedly showed a lack of appropriate concern. This highlights a fundamental issue within the london dog walking company regarding the prioritization of animal comfort and safety.
Extreme Temperatures and Poor Conditions
Another grave concern detailed in the exposé is the consistent exposure of dogs to excessive temperatures at the daycare, frequently exceeding the 26-degree Celsius limit set out in statutory guidance. Multiple photos taken over several summer months depict temperatures reaching as high as 35 degrees Celsius. One image particularly shows a brand new puppy enduring extreme heat with only a towel for comfort, underscoring the severity of the alleged neglect. Such conditions pose serious health risks to dogs, ranging from heatstroke to dehydration, and are a clear violation of animal welfare standards.
A poorly constructed enclosure designed for two large dogs
These high temperatures were not isolated incidents but a recurring problem, indicating a systemic failure within the london dog walking company to provide a safe and comfortable environment for the dogs under their care. The alleged insufficient measures taken to mitigate this risk further contribute to the alarming picture painted by the whistleblower.
Deceptive Walking Practices
Customers of the london dog walking company reportedly paid for specific service levels that were not consistently delivered. For example, two large, young dogs, whose owners paid £80 a day for at least an hour’s walk, were allegedly instructed by Kane Doran (Line Manager of LDWC LTD) to be walked for only 30 minutes. This discrepancy between promised and delivered service was a regular occurrence, with Mick Doran reportedly believing dogs only needed 40 minutes of walking, despite assuring customers of longer durations.
Temperature gauge showing 35 degrees Celsius inside the daycare facility
Furthermore, logs of daily dog collections reveal instances where individual staff members were responsible for an excessive number of dogs in a single vehicle, raising concerns about individual attention and safety during transport. The alleged instruction by Kane Doran to “dunk” dogs in ponds instead of properly cleaning them at daycare further illustrates a disturbing lack of professional pet care ethics within the london dog walking company. A walker’s response highlighted the cruelty of such a practice.
A selection of daily dog collection logs, indicating staff assignments for pickups and drop-offs
When considering the price for dog walking per hour, clients expect the advertised service duration and quality. The alleged deceptive practices reported here are a significant breach of trust.
Unethical Staff Treatment and Management
The concerns are not limited to animal welfare but also extend to the treatment of employees. An employee who had worked for Mick Doran for three years, reportedly a woman in her 30s, was allegedly refused wages owed. She was purportedly paid only £50 a day for a seven-hour shift, six days a week, highlighting potentially exploitative labor practices. Beyond financial exploitation, allegations of sexually explicit comments from Kane Doran about a customer, of whom he had keys to enter her flat, reveal serious ethical and safety breaches related to employee conduct and customer trust. These incidents point to a toxic work environment and questionable management ethics within the london dog walking company.
Illegal Daycare Continuation
Even after the initial closure forced by public and media attention, The London Dog Walking Company was allegedly found operating a new, illegal, and unlicensed dog daycare premises in April 2023. This new facility was reportedly run from the Islington council house of a staff member, Natasha Clark, a practice that would violate her tenancy agreement, especially as a council tenant on benefits. Mick Doran allegedly neglected to add this address to his business page, deliberately keeping customers unaware of where their dogs were being taken. This alleged continuation of unlicensed operations, exploiting a vulnerable worker, further demonstrates a pattern of disregard for regulations and ethical business conduct by the london dog walking company.
A message instructing a walker to "dunk" dogs in ponds for cleaning
The Whistleblower’s Account: Motivation and Experience
The driving force behind this exposé is the personal experience and unwavering motivation of a former employee. Having worked for the london dog walking company between May 2019 and November 2022, becoming full-time from August 2020, the whistleblower accumulated extensive knowledge and evidence of the company’s alleged wrongdoings. This firsthand account provides a compelling narrative, revealing the gradual deterioration of standards and the increasing pressure faced by staff.
Personal Journey and Growing Concerns
The whistleblower’s motivation stems from a deep passion for dogs and a profound concern for the voiceless animals and their trusting owners who were allegedly exploited. Starting as a dog walker, driver, and daycare person, the job initially involved managing 20-30 dogs. However, by November 2022, the workload had drastically expanded to 40-50 dogs, often with insufficient staff to maintain proper care. Duties included multiple pack dog walks daily, driving up to four hours a day collecting and dropping off up to 25 dogs. Staff were explicitly instructed never to reveal the daycare premises’ location or invite customers to see it. During the brief periods Mick and Kane Doran were at daycare, they would allegedly shout at dogs, kick doors, and use a tin of loose change to silence them, as noise and interaction were reportedly discouraged to prevent dogs from becoming “needy.”
A WhatsApp message sent by the whistleblower to the daycare manager, Natasha Clark, six months before their departure, expressed concerns about the mistreatment of dogs, indicating a long-standing issue and internal efforts to address it.
The Escalation of Issues
Over the 3.5 years of employment, the job transformed drastically. What began as two walks a day with an hour or two at daycare evolved into three to four walks daily (often with unknown walkers to owners) with minimal daycare time. Late afternoon van journeys became necessary for toilet breaks due to the lack of outdoor space at daycare. The whistleblower was frequently asked to cover Kane Doran’s duties, who allegedly often slept for hours during the workday. This massive increase in workload, coupled with long driving hours (up to four hours a day collecting 25+ dogs), led to overwhelming stress, resulting in regular hospitalizations for stress-related illnesses and NHS counseling.
The whistleblower reported feeling forced to feign happiness as Mick Doran would criticize them for being “negative.” They recounted Mick and Kane’s jobs being simpler, often involving shorter walks (30-40 minutes) or avoiding “pee and poo walks” altogether, delegating them instead. This involved taking four dogs from daycare to a local park and waiting for them to relieve themselves, a task that could take an hour or more. Kane Doran was even found sleeping in his van or at his father’s house during work hours while delegating his duties, further highlighting the alleged mismanagement.
The breaking point came in November 2022, when Mick Doran was verbally abusive. The whistleblower had “had enough” of witnessing the alleged deception of customers regarding walk durations and the unfit daycare facility. They felt that Dawn Doran’s reputation was being exploited for profit, putting dogs in harm’s way, and that customers were lied to about the business’s license and insurance status, even while the company allegedly offered services to “the rich and famous.” The whistleblower’s lengthy tenure was driven by the desire to amass sufficient evidence to expose the long-term issues, a decision validated by anonymous public polls on social media supporting accountability for such companies.
Legal and Public Repercussions
The allegations against the london dog walking company did not remain confined to internal observations; they spilled over into public scrutiny, legal challenges, and a prolonged campaign of harassment against the whistleblower. This section details the events that unfolded, highlighting the media’s involvement, the legal battles initiated by the company, and the disturbing pattern of intimidation faced by the former employee. Businesses in the pet sitting and dog walking industry often carry dog walking pet sitting insurance to protect against liabilities, but these events suggest a deeper ethical issue beyond standard operational risks.
Media Attention and Initial Closure
The public disclosure began with a story in The Sunday People Newspaper on December 23, 2022. This print-only article prompted the whistleblower to publish their detailed account online to create a permanent public record. This action reportedly led to the forced closure of Mick Doran’s daycare and a significant loss of customers for the london dog walking company. In January and February 2023, local newspapers like The Ham and High and The Haringey Community Press also covered the story, further amplifying public awareness of the alleged issues and the closure of the unlicensed facility. These articles served as crucial external validation for the whistleblower’s claims.
Legal Battles and Defamation Claims
Following the public revelations, Mick Doran initiated a legal challenge, sending a threatening “Letter Before Action” demanding the website’s closure and retraction of all allegations. However, the whistleblower countered with a defamation claim against Mick Doran for baseless accusations made on Nextdoor.co.uk. This counter-claim reportedly led to no further action from Doran’s side, which the whistleblower interpreted as further bolstering their claims. The evidence for the counter-claim included Mick Doran’s statements containing “untruths” and “highly damaging” accusations, such as using the word “abuse” in relation to the whistleblower’s actions, which was denied. Doran’s claims regarding the “problem” with heat were refuted with photos demonstrating the long-term nature of the issue, showing multiple dogs, including a 14-week-old puppy, in extreme temperatures. The inadequacy of a domestic air conditioning unit and the active involvement of Dawn and Kane Doran in running the business during Mick’s illness were also highlighted. Mick Doran also allegedly falsely claimed the whistleblower filmed a dog being mounted to falsely accuse him, whereas the footage was reportedly to highlight overcrowding. Furthermore, Mick Doran’s claim of reporting the whistleblower to the police first was disproven by crime reference numbers showing the whistleblower initiated police contact. The accusation of “taking customers” was also refuted, as customers reportedly chose to continue with the whistleblower’s services after their departure, with no contractual obligation to stay with the london dog walking company.
Police Involvement and Harassment
The legal disputes escalated into numerous instances of police involvement. Between January 2023 and March 2024, the whistleblower repeatedly contacted the Metropolitan Police due to alleged harassment from Mick Doran, including shouting, swearing, public intimidation from his vehicle, and slandering in dog walkers’ WhatsApp groups. To ensure personal safety, the whistleblower began recording interactions with Doran. The Metropolitan Police reportedly contacted Mick Doran multiple times, culminating in a voluntary interview request in March 2024 (Crime Ref No. 2301886/23 and 01/46183/24).
A staff member of The London Dog Walking Company taking Frankie the Whippet to Natasha's council house for an unlicensed daycare service
Incidents included Mick Doran shouting expletives, attempting to intimidate the whistleblower while walking dogs, and using his phone while driving past. He also allegedly used a Hampstead Dog Walkers WhatsApp group to incite mob retaliation against the whistleblower. For those seeking information on dog walking insurance prices, these incidents underscore the importance of choosing a reputable and ethically run business to avoid such issues.
Ongoing Campaign of Harassment
The campaign of harassment against the whistleblower by the london dog walking company and its associates allegedly intensified over time, detailed in a comprehensive timeline.
- November 2022: The whistleblower resigned after 3.5 years following alleged abuse from Mick Doran. Post-departure, Mick Doran reportedly forgot to collect a customer’s dog, leading that owner, and another, to choose the whistleblower for future services, despite Doran’s later claims of “stolen dogs.” A “cease and desist” message was received.
- November-December 2022: Rumors were spread that the whistleblower was fired, not resigned, and the discovery of the london dog walking company‘s unlicensed daycare operation prompted the whistleblower to contact the press.
- December 2022: The Sunday People story broke, leading to the forced closure of Doran’s daycare.
- January 2023: Mick Doran allegedly shouted abuse, leading to the first police contact.
- February 2023: Local newspapers published stories, and a campaign of defamation spread through the Hampstead Dog Walkers WhatsApp group, leading to the whistleblower’s removal from the group and widespread hate.
- April 2023: The london dog walking company was caught operating an illegal daycare from a staff member’s council home, leading to a council warning.
- Spring/Summer 2023: Mick Doran initiated civil and legal challenges, which he later dropped after a counter-claim threat and refusal of mediation.
- December 2023: The whistleblower discovered the extent of their defamation at a dog walkers’ Christmas party.
- January 2024: Mick Doran allegedly attempted to prevent the whistleblower from accessing customers after they purchased a new vehicle. The whistleblower also faced a copyright infringement claim from The Hampstead Constabulary, which was later found to be outside their jurisdiction and resulted from an anonymous report.
- February 2024: The whistleblower’s Google Business page was removed after mass reporting, then successfully reinstated, resulting in two pages and double the original reviews after customers resubmitted them. This relentless targeting highlights the challenges faced when standing against a company like the london dog walking company. For those curious about pet sitting insurance reviews, understanding how businesses are perceived and how they handle disputes is crucial.
- March 2024: Mick Doran was questioned by the Metropolitan Police for harassment but released without charge, then engaged in an online rant about the interview. The whistleblower was also nominated for an Animal Star award but withdrew due to false claims about their license.
- April 2025: A letter filled with expletives and threats, along with a fabricated ID card, was sent to the whistleblower’s home. It was later revealed to be a collaborative effort by Emma Grove of Dog Days Walking and others connected to Mick Doran, who allegedly tried to “bait” the whistleblower into making incriminating statements.
- August 2025: An Instagram hate account, “chriswillsherwhistleblowers,” was set up by the london dog walking company and former staff, stalking the whistleblower’s social media, contacting customers, and posting out-of-context content, including hurtful remarks about the whistleblower’s deceased mother. This activity was reported to the police, marking the sixth crime reference number against Mick Doran and associates. This sustained and malicious campaign underscores the extreme lengths to which some are willing to go.
The documented timeline of events reveals a pattern of alleged deceit, neglect, and harassment orchestrated by The London Dog Walking Company and its affiliates against a former employee who dared to expose their alleged wrongdoings. This protracted conflict highlights the importance of due diligence for pet owners and the necessity of accountability within the pet care industry. When selecting a dog walking service, verifying licenses, checking reviews, and understanding dog walking insurance prices can help ensure a trustworthy choice.
Conclusion
The allegations against The London Dog Walking Company, spanning from serious welfare violations and unlicensed operations to deceptive practices and a sustained campaign of harassment against a whistleblower, present a concerning narrative for anyone involved in pet care. The detailed account, supported by photographic evidence, internal communications, media reports, and police involvement, paints a clear picture of a company whose alleged actions have fallen short of ethical and legal standards in the dog walking and daycare industry. This exposé underscores the critical importance of transparency, accountability, and stringent adherence to animal welfare regulations within this sector.
For pet owners in London and beyond, this information serves as a vital reminder to exercise extreme caution and conduct thorough due diligence when selecting a dog walking or daycare service. It is imperative to verify licenses, inquire about staff training and ratios, understand emergency protocols, and seek genuine client testimonials. The experience documented here demonstrates that the lowest price or a polished facade may conceal underlying issues that directly impact the safety and well-being of beloved pets. Ultimately, the voiceless dogs and their trusting owners deserve services that prioritize their welfare above all else. By bringing these alleged issues to light, the aim is to empower pet owners to make informed decisions and hold all pet care providers, including the london dog walking company, to the highest standards of care and integrity. Continue reading other articles on our site for more advice on choosing reputable pet services.
DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this website is for general information and educational purposes only and is not intended to mislead or redirect to any other business as it serves only as a public record of events surrounding the closure of the LDWC LTD daycare service. Whilst this website is intended to inform it does not constitute professional advice and should not be used in place of it and I am in no way liable for how this information is used or shared.
