Jodie Marsh Sues Council Over Animal Sanctuary License

Former model Jodie Marsh is set to appeal a decision made by Uttlesford District Council, which denied her application for a dangerous wild animal licence to keep eight ring-tailed lemurs at her private animal sanctuary. The council's licensing and environmental health committee rejected her application during a meeting in July, prompting Marsh to express her determination to challenge the ruling in court. In a statement to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Marsh indicated that the appeal has been lodged with the magistrates' court and criticized the council for what she described as a waste of taxpayer money. She argued that the council's decision did not adhere to the necessary licensing requirements and included irrelevant considerations. Uttlesford District Council has refrained from commenting on the matter, citing the ongoing appeal process. However, during the licensing meeting, concerns were raised regarding Marsh's handling of animals, particularly an incident where she took a baby meerkat she was hand-rearing to a pub, claiming it could not be left alone. Richard Freeman, the councillor who chaired the licensing meeting, noted that there was apprehension about Marsh's perception of the animals in her care, suggesting that she viewed them more as personal pets rather than as wild animals requiring special care and regulation. The outcome of the appeal remains to be seen as Marsh prepares for her court date.