Police are hunting for a cruel animal abuser who left more than 80 dogs to live in “squalid” alongside dumped cats and even a chicken. Images show the atrocious conditions the poor animals were left in – with no owner in sight at the property in Tickhill, Doncaster.
In the grim pictures, a group of frail dogs could be seen looking hopeless on the dirty stairs. Paint could be seen stripped on the walls at the home which reeked with a repelling stench, according to rescuers at the RSPCA.
South Yorkshire Police and the animal charity described the conditions as “appalling”. They said they saved the animals one by one as they took them out of the house on Thursday. The pets, including 78 springer spaniels, were found in faeces and filth.
More dogs were discovered around every corner of each room, reports Nottinghamshire Live. Police said they were “immediately taken aback by the smell, the conditions and the volume of animals living inside.”
They added: “One by one, officers took the dogs from the property and to safety and counted 78 springer spaniels and four other breed dogs. Animal cruelty will not be tolerated across South Yorkshire, and we will work with partners to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.”
Police said the animals had been taken into kennels and an investigation was ongoing to find those responsible. They explained that they needed an emergency warrant to storm into the property.
Chief Inspector Emma Cheney said: “Effective teamwork and strong partnerships between us, the RPSCA and Doncaster City Council allowed us to act on community intelligence that a property was being used to house animals and obtain an emergency warrant from the courts.
“This is not responsible dog ownership – this is cruelty and I am pleased we have been able to intervene and ensure that these dogs receive the care they deserve and hopefully have a bright future ahead of them.”
Anyone who believes they have information that can contribute to enquiries is asked to get in touch online, via live chat or by calling 101 quoting incident number 180 of April 17, 2025.
You can also contact independent UK charity Crimestoppers through their dedicated UK call centre. Information can be reported in confidence without having to leave your details by calling 0800 555 111.
In March, a group of 18 collie dogs forced to live in a filthy caravan for over a year were discovered after the stench was so bad police believed there was a dead human body inside.
The appalling conditions were uncovered when Stephen Sturman was reported missing from the caravan on a farm at Iddesleigh, Devon, in February last year.
Police went to the caravan where they were initially refused entry by his wife Rachel. But the stench was overwhelming and they thought a dead human body was inside. When they finally went in they saw the uninhabitable conditions with dog mess and urine soaked into the property piled up with rubbish and matted dogs inside.
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