‘We’re not being cruel’ say puppy farm owners (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

‘We’re not being cruel’ say puppy farm owners

7:36am Thursday 25th October 2007

• Print
• Email
• Share

The owners of a puppy farm raided by the RSPCA last week have hit back at allegations of neglect.

Police and RSPCA inspectors stormed the Oak Tree Farm pet shop and kennels in Stanton Lane, Kington St Michael, on October 17, following claims of squalid and cramped conditions.

The owner refused to give her name to the Gazette. However, in July, Sally Griggs put in a restrospective application to North Wiltshire District Council for a change of use to use the residential gypsy site to breed and kennel dogs.

In March this year she applied to the district council for a breeder's licence and for a pet shop. A council officer inspected the site and suggested certain improvements to buildings which were carried out. The site was then inspected again by the council and a vet, and the licence was granted.

The owner this week spoke of her heartache at seeing some of her dogs taken away and the battle she faces to clear her name.

She said: "This has been an absolute nightmare. I love every single puppy here and would never let them come to any harm.

"The 23 dogs the RSPCA have taken away have all been split up and taken to Bath or Bristol - it's heartbreaking to see litters and families broken up.

"They took a mother and her runt puppy from a litter of Cocabichons but left the rest of the puppies who still needed her milk. They've been pining for their mother ever since.

"I begged the RSPCA officers to take a few more dogs to make sure brothers and sisters were kept together.

"They checked over every single other dog we had and gave them clean bills of health. The only crime we were guilty of is having a few more animals than we should have, but that is because I can't bear to see dogs turned away."

An RSPCA spokesman said it was acting on reports from previous customers who were concerned about conditions at the farm, and who claimed the dogs they had bought subsequently needed veterinary treatment.

Sarah Stackman, of Lysley Close, Pewsham, bought her five-month-old cocker spaniel, Marley, from the farm in July.

She said: "Ever since we got Marley we knew something was not quite right and, after getting him checked out, the vet revealed he had kennel cough, mange and an ear infection.

"The vet has told us that the boils under his skin causing the mange could only have been picked up at the kennels.

"I have had to pay out £200 so far in vet bills and he is still ill but battling on."

Mrs Stackman said she has left messages with the farm but is yet to receive a response.

Cathy Angel, who lives in Chippenham, but did not want to give her full address, bought Charlie, a four-year-old Yorkshire Terrier, from the farm in July. She said she has had a large vet's bill for an operation to remove the dog's rotten teeth.

But the pet shop owner said all dogs were sold with a warranty which meant they could be returned within 72 hours. She also highlighted the farm's success in selling an average of 20 puppies every week.

She said: "People don't like the ideas of puppy farms but we get hundreds of calls every week." People always want puppies.

"We are now waiting to hear whether the dogs will come back to us or whether they will be re-homed."

RSPCA investigations are continuing.

Have you had problems with a dog from Oak Tree Farm? Tell us below

• Print
• Email
• Share