Pug rescued from puppy farm finds loving home
Read how the RSPCA rescued Phoebe the pug from a puppy farm in Bolton, helped her recover and found her a loving new home.
Published:
Pug rescued from puppy farm now happily rehomed
Pug Phoebe was found cold, frightened, and huddled in a washing-up bowl inside a filthy concrete pen, after reports of a puppy farm led to the rescue of her and dachshund-cross, Patsy.
Farmed, frightened and filthy
Animal welfare act RSPCA Special Operations Unit (SOU) investigated complaints regarding the sale of puppies in Bolton after members of the public bought puppies who fell ill.
Inspector Pippa Boyd, who led the RSPCA’s investigation, said: “We worked alongside police who executed three warrants at a number of properties in the Bolton area following eight complaints from members of the public who had bought sick puppies. Tragically, seven of those puppies died.”
During one of the warrants, officers found two female dogs – a three-year-old pug, Phoebe, and a two-year-old dachshund-cross, Patsy – being kept in makeshift pens in an outbuilding in the rear garden of the property.
“We found Phoebe and Patsy living in horrendous conditions, in dark, dank and cold pens, with no warm bedding or dry areas off of the freezing, hard floor. Phoebe was sitting inside a washing-up bowl, the only surface not covered in faeces,” Inspector Boyd explained. “Thankfully, we got to them in time and rescued them. They were incredibly itchy, and Phoebe had serious breathing problems.”
Unfortunately, however, not all puppies were as lucky. “Sadly, we were too late for some, including a little puppy whose body we found wrapped up in a plastic bag at the house.”
Puppy farming is a cruel and illegal activity, subjecting innocent animals to unnecessary suffering. We work tirelessly to investigate and end this widespread criminal practice.
Before
Phoebe the pug sitting in a washing-up bowl inside a filthy puppy farm pen.
After
Phoebe the rescued pug resting under a duvet in her new home.
It was a completely inhumane environment to keep dogs.
Puppies brought to us, breeder brought to justice
The breeder worked hard to pass himself off as a responsible, reputable breeder. He initially advertised the puppies online and offered to deliver them to new owners, or arranged to meet them in car parks away from his home.
Inspector Boyd added: “He told buyers he would take the puppy to them to do a home check at the same time. People thought he really cared where his puppies were going. The reality is, he didn’t want people to know where he lived or to see the conditions he kept his dogs in.”
“This should be a major red flag to anybody looking into buying a puppy,” Inspector Boyd warned. “A genuinely responsible breeder, who has the best interests of their dogs in mind, will be happy for you to visit the puppies in the environment they were born in, and see them interacting with their mother, siblings and people.”
At a later court appearance, the breeder admitted a number of animal welfare offences and was sentenced to a 16-week jail term, ordered to pay a £150 victim surcharge, and disqualified from keeping animals for life.
Phoebe and Patsy were then signed over to the RSPCA and were cared for at the Warrington branch while they recovered. They’ve since both found loving new homes.
And a final note from Inspector Boyd: “We would advise anyone thinking of getting a puppy first to consider adopting a dog from a rescue centre. However, if you’re intent on buying a puppy from a breeder, we would urge families to be extremely careful and to use the Puppy Contract, which will help ensure they buy a happy and healthy dog.”
Anyone who has concerns about a breeder or seller should walk away and report their concerns to the police, the local authority or the RSPCA.
Phoebe’s breeder was found guilty of six offences under the Animal Welfare Act.
From a cold washing-up bowl to a cosy duvet
When the Mustow family spotted Phoebe at our centre, they instantly fell in love. Nicola, her new owner, said: “Phoebe is a beautiful little soul with a fabulous nature. We wouldn’t be without her and hope she’s as happy as we are with her.”
Phoebe is now unrecognisable; no longer frightened and filthy, instead loved, safe and snuggled beside her beloved owners, snoozing beneath the cosy duvet on their bed.
Thankfully, Phoebe’s story is a successful one. But not all puppy-farmed puppies get a happy ending. Reports of puppy farming have fallen over recent years thanks to stronger laws and legislation, but it’s not over yet. We often work with local authorities to investigate and end puppy farming – and it’s because of compassionate people like you that we’re able to.
If you’re concerned for the welfare of dogs, or believe someone is illegally selling or breeding puppies, report your concern, call us in confidence on 0300 123 8960 or report it to the police.
