A PET store which was the subject of a huge petition and protests will be able to once again sell puppies.

Linton Pet Store’s licence expired last year and councillors were presented with a 20,000 signature petition not to re-issue the licence due to the way that dogs were sourced.

Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) previously said owner Loridana Agius had complied with the conditions of the licence, but campaigners have held regular demonstrations against the shop.

However, the store was no longer be able to sell puppies after a temporary licence issued by the council expired on October 4 2017.

An audit then revealed that there were outstanding issues relating to the exchange of information between the pet shop and potential owners regarding how the puppies were sourced.

Last week, councillors decided to re-issue the licence following another inspection of the premises, at Ladds Garden Village.

Josie Wragg, director of localities and customer services, said: “Following inspection on 5 January 2018, Linton Pet Shop has been reissued with its licence to sell animals, including puppies, until 31 December 2018.

“To obtain all licences, applicants must meet conditions, as set by central government in the Pet Animals Act 1951 and we will be monitoring adherence to these carefully as is the case with all licences of this nature.

“If we receive an application that meets requirements set out in the legislation then we are required by law to issue a licence. Licensing officers could find no lawful reason to refuse the licence on this occasion.

“It is really important to emphasise that the council would have no grounds to refuse a licence if the application is sound and the requirements of any prevailing legislation or approved licence conditions are met.

“If residents are unhappy with current legislation, it would be worth them registering their views with their MP; this is particularly timely as parliament is currently undergoing a general review of legislation surrounding the sale of puppies.”

A high court judge had intervened in the protesting last April after branding the campaigns as ‘oppressive and unacceptable’ and limited picketing to just four hours per week.

He also said it was an unfair distraction to other businesses based at the site.

The online petition reads: “Farm puppies are often removed from mum at five weeks old and can be left alone in the pet shop for hours.

“The puppies might be looked after while in the shop, however, mum is in the background suffering every day and being bred from over and over again.

“We believe that the concerns regarding the source of the puppies should result in a licence not being issued. We therefore plead with Wokingham Borough Council to listen to the people.”