A “barking mad” hike in dog-boarding fees has been heavily reduced in what is a major victory for local campaigners.

Those who look after dogs in Bracknell Forest, Wokingham borough and West Berkshire were told their licence fees would go up from £119 to £570 earlier this year.

This sparked a huge backlash from Berkshire’s dog-boarding community, who felt the 375 per cent increase was “disgusting" and “disgraceful”.

Despite campaigners rallying against the hike for months on end, the Public Protection Partnership (the licensing authority for all three areas) appeared determined to implement the new charges.

But now the Partnership has had a change of heart by deciding to drastically reduce the fees dog-boarders will have to pay.

New pricings show dog-boarders who are renewing their licence will pay £241 per licensing period, whereas those who are applying for new licenses will pay £270.

Although this is still an increase on what boarders are paying now, it is a reduction from the proposed fee of more than £300.

Sandhurst resident Karen Fleck, who previously labelled the £570 charge as “barking mad” and who has been unrelenting in the campaign against the hike, told the News this was a “victory for common sense”.

The News understands dog-boarders who have already paid their fees will receive refunds.

The PPP did not respond to a request for comment.