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Urgent Appeal
The case

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 like Winnie had been neglected for profit.

The scene

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

Found just in time

Following whimpers to a cupboard, we found a tiny Cockapoo puppy – Winnie. She had been hidden by the dealer in an attempt to avoid tougher charges. This was because Winnie was severely ill. Covered in infections, malnourished and terrified, she could hardly stand. She wouldn’t have survived much longer.

We rushed Winnie to safety. She received urgent veterinary care, a warm bed and the love and socialisation she never got the chance to experience. Slowly, her personality began to shine through.

A new life

These days, Winnie is unrecognisable. She’s full of life and enjoys adventures in the park with her new four-legged friends. She has finally found her voice and her favourite place to be is snuggling up on the sofa in her new home.

“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

Urgent Appeal

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.

For every puppy we save, there are more waiting.

Cases like this one are more common than you’d think. Every day we receive new reports, more evidence and more heartbreak. Donate today to play your part in our fight against animal cruelty.