These dogs are now living their best lives after being rescued from an illegal puppy farm in Wales.
Dozens of dogs and puppies were rescued from a house in Fochriw, Bargoed after it was raided by police, the RSPCA, the council and a vet last March.
The house was filthy, with floors covered in dog faeces and urine, with very little water, light, or fresh air for the dogs.
Many of the animals had matted fur and were infested with fleas. Some had been kept in pens which were too small, and they were ‘desperate for attention’ and nervous around people.
The puppy farm was being run by Julie Pearce, aged 57, and her two daughters Rosalie Pearce, aged 33, and 24-year-old Kaylie Adams.
The trio sold the puppies online and advertised them as being as being the offspring of much-loved family pets.
However, the reality was very different – the pups were actually the result of a large-scale and profitable puppy farming operation which earned the mum and daughters £125,000.
The defendants were handed suspended prison sentences at Cardiff crown court earlier this week and were banned from keeping any animal for 10 years.
Thankfully, following the raid the 54 dogs were taken to local charity Hope Rescue. Since then all of the dogs have found new homes, and they’re all having the time of their lives.
Sara Rosser, operations manager at the charity, said: ‘We were pleased to be able to support the hard work of Caerphilly County Borough Council trading standards with this case.
‘It was shocking to see so many dogs living in such awful conditions.
‘The majority needed to be completely clipped off by our staff at the centre because their coats were so matted in faeces and urine and many were covered in fleas.
‘Some of the dogs were also pregnant or feeding young puppies and needed additional care.
‘After living such sheltered lives many of the dogs also needed extra support in learning about normal dog things such as walking on a lead, travelling in a car and house training.
‘We are pleased to say that all of the dogs have now gone on to find wonderful homes where they have become much loved family members and able to live the lives they deserve.’
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.