Woman given five-year animal ban after 30 dogs found living in terraced house

RSPCA officers found multiple terriers and lurchers living among faeces, rotten food, and rat droppings at a mid-terrace property in Whitby Road, Loftus, in September 2023.  Two dogs were pregnant and eight puppies were later born in the charity’s care. 

Lurchers, Rocket and Arti (choke), who were rescued from the house when they were just ten weeks old, are the only dogs who have yet to find a new home and are now facing their third Christmas in rescue at the RSPCA’s Felledge Animal Centre near Chester-le-Street.  

At a hearing at Teesside Magistrates Court last Tuesday (2 December), Ginette Warne (DoB 27/04/1966) was sentenced for one offence contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006, following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.   

The court heard that several RSPCA officers and police attended the address on 19 September 2023, following concerns for the welfare of the dogs living there. Numerous flies were seen in the window and once inside, rescuers found it difficult to tolerate the smell for long periods.  

In her written statement to the court, one of the RSPCA Inspectors, Gemma Lynch, said: “When I opened the front door there was immediately a very strong smell of faeces and urine that could be smelt from outside. When entering the front room, the floor was completely full of clutter and it was very moist under my feet, caused by dog faeces and urine. 

“There were a large number of adult lurchers and lurcher puppies loose. The environment was totally unsuitable for them to be living in. I could not see any clean or comfortable resting area. The smell was so strong that I had to leave the address.” 

RSPCA Inspector Catherine Maddison also gave written evidence. She said, “The smell as I neared the address was incredibly strong. Once I entered the house, I could see it was very cluttered, leaving very little room to move around. I observed rotten food, faeces, urine and rodent droppings on the floor throughout the property. 

“The surfaces of the property appeared dirty throughout, including the walls. There was no clean area available for the animals as far as I could see, and hazards were strewn amongst all of the clutter.” 

Another inspector described how he saw “puppies everywhere jumping around” surrounding a female dog and trying to feed from her.

Three of the dogs were being kept in the rear yard and had dirty, wet coats and patches of fur loss. Two lurchers were also removed by Warne from a van parked outside her property.

In total, the officers removed 19 male and female lurcher puppies, four adult female lurchers, two male and four female adult Jack Russell Terriers, and one male Jack Russell puppy.   

A vet attended the scene and certified that they all needed to be removed because of the environment they were living in and they were taken into possession by the police and transported for veterinary treatment. 

On examination, two female Jack Russell Terriers were found to be pregnant and later gave birth to eight puppies in RSPCA care.  She said all 30 dogs had not had their needs met with regards to a suitable environment.

In mitigation, the court heard that Warne, who was also given a 12-month Community Order with ten Rehabilitation Activity Requirement Days and 40 hours of unpaid work, had poor mental health. Speaking after sentencing, Inspector Lynch said, “Conditions inside the property were extremely poor for humans and animals alike. The smell of urine and faeces made it difficult for us to stay inside for long periods and the environment was wet underfoot and extremely cluttered.     

“We’re really pleased all the dogs and puppies from this case, apart from three, who were sadly put to sleep on medical grounds, made a good recovery, and the vast majority are already enjoying life in caring new homes thanks to the fantastic work of our animal centres, branches and partner organisations.”
Many of the dogs were given vegetable-themed names, including Parsnip, Cauliflower, Sweetcorn, Broccoli and Onion. 

A large number went to the charity’s Felledge Animal Centre, where two-year-old lurchers Rocket and Arti are the only ones still waiting to be adopted. 

Both of them are looking for patient and experienced families with older children. Please contact the centre if you think you can offer them the right home. 

The other dogs travelled to the charity’s Great Ayton, Bryn-y-Maen and West Hatch Animal Centres and RSPCA Branches, including Halifax, Huddersfield and Bradford, Doncaster & Rotherham, Keighley, Craven and Upper Wharfedale, Macclesfield and Radcliffe. 

Four of them were also rehomed by the Rotherham-based charity Rain Rescue.