Investigation into dog rescue charity's finances

A dog rescue and rehoming charity is being investigated by the charity regulator over the "potential misuse of charitable funds".

The Charity Commission said it had launched a statutory inquiry into Animal Lifeline, based in Stoke-on-Trent.

The commission stated that "serious financial concerns" at the charity had come to light as part of an ongoing investigation by Staffordshire Police.

Animal Lifeline said it would cooperate fully with the statutory inquiry but "strongly refute any suggestion that Animal Lifeline has actively engaged in wrongdoing or misused charitable funds".

Animal Lifeline added it was also fully supporting Staffordshire Police, but that it was individuals under investigation, not the charity itself.

In a statement, the Charity Commission said its inquiry would particularly focus on "the financial management of the charity, including the extent of any loss, misapplication or misappropriation of the charity's funds."

It added it would examine whether there had been any unauthorised private benefit to the trustees or connected parties, and how potential conflicts of interest had been managed.

The scope of the inquiry could extend if additional regulatory issues emerged, the commission stated.

Animal Lifeline said it took its responsibilities as a registered charity extremely seriously.

Appropriate governance measures were in place to ensure it continued to operate smoothly during the inquiry, it stated, and its priority remained on the animals in cares for.

"Our focus remains firmly on the animals we care for and on continuing the work of rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming dogs in need," it added.

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