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It all started with a puppy advert
Behind every online advert that offers cute puppies for sale, there could be a story of suffering. And when Scottish SPCA Special Investigations Officers entered a suspected puppy dealer’s home in Kilmarnock, they uncovered this dark reality. They had just walked into a heartbreaking scene of squalor and the site of a greedy crime – where innocent puppies had been neglected for profit.
Investigating the scene
After conducting research into the case and with search warrant in hand, we arrived at the property in Kilmarnock. Puppies of all ages and breeds were confined in a filthy bathroom – covered in waste, sick, infected and terrified. Their mothers were nowhere to be found, and basic care had been completely neglected.
“When I entered the bathroom during a search of the property, the stench hit me first.”
Emma, Scottish SPCA Special Investigations Unit Lead
16 puppies rescued
We were able to seize all the puppies at the address. Many were underweight, covered in parasites, and in urgent need of veterinary care. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, all 16 received care, a clean bed and the safety they always should have had.
Winnie was in the worst state
When officers followed cries to a cupboard, they found poor Winnie the cockapoo. She was gravely ill and had been hidden by the dealer to avoid harsher charges. Winnie is now thriving with her new family – playing hide and seek, snoozing and enjoying the loving home she always deserved.
“She had the zoomies out in the garden and fell asleep for the full first night. I like to think she knew she was home.”
Kim, Winnie’s owner
12 months of work and one guilty plea later
Our work doesn’t stop as soon as animals are rescued. We are working tirelessly to get justice for the innocent puppies caught in the greedy underworld of Scotland’s puppy trade. This dealer received a 1-year ban from keeping animals, a 200-hour community payback order and 240 hours of unpaid work. But there’s still work to be done. We’re fighting for tougher sentences with every case that we tackle.
They’ll keep doing this unless we stop them.
The work of our Special Investigations Unit is completely funded by donations. We need people like you to stand with us by donating today.
This case may be closed. But our fight isn’t.
Your donation will help keep our Special Investigations Unit on the road, our kennels warm, and fund our fight for justice against the low-welfare puppy trade.
