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Kennels hit back over dog breeding claim

9:50am Thursday 15th May 2008

comment Comments (36)   Have your say »


Owners of the Kington St Michael Kennels have hit back at claims they are excessively breeding dogs.

The allegations came from the Border Collie Rescue organisation after 14 dogs, including collies, and a rottweiller were taken to Oak Tree Farm, near Chippenham, from an animal sanctuary in West Wales.

But the owners say they only took the dogs to rehome them and don't breed large numbers of dogs anymore.

Co-owner Sally Griggs said: "This is all in the past and we just want to move on.

"We are now focusing on the rehoming side of things and don't even breed that many dogs anymore.

"I don't know why this person seems to have a grudge against us when we have never even met.

"We just want to get on helping to rehome these dogs and leave all this behind us.

"The rottweiller, which has been neutered, would have been put down if we had not saved it because it was quite aggressive.

"The RSPCA has no problems with us whatsoever and have said we are doing a good job."

The farm was raided last October after the RSPCA received reports the dogs were living in squalid conditions.

During the raid 24 dogs were seized and removed from the site, but all of them have since been returned.

Kathy Clements from Border Collie Rescue said: "I have concerns about this and will be checking everything out with the RSPCA.

"With the track record of the facility I think we owe it to the dogs to find out what is going on there.

"None of the dogs have been neutered and so we are left wondering whether or not they will be used to breed.

"Collies are one of the hardest dogs to rehome and so to take 14 seems rather a lot to me."

A spokesman for the RSPCA said: "We can confirm that we have received a report to investigate this incident, which we have.

"We have found nothing untoward going on at the farm and no indication that the dogs were being used for breeding purposes.

"Our investigations have come to a close in this particular case but we take any report of animals in distress very seriously."

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Your Say YourThe Wiltshire Gazette and Herald

boredatwork, Trow says...
11:12am Thu 15 May 08

I'd say they are dodgy!!!
Look at their website. They re-home un-neutered dogs, surely this is encouraging dog breeding and they don't re-home dogs they sell them for a high price. keep clear i say.

Report this post »

Shirley, Calne. says...
3:59pm Thu 15 May 08

I have been to this place and was appalled at what I saw. There were many breeds, little puppies were outside in tiny pens with no bedding, just damp concrete to lay on. Adults had runny eyes etc. They asked no questions at all about the future care of the puppies. All they wanted was the money. I have worked in dog rescue for many years and know that they do NOT care about the dogs. This new venture will be another scam. There is no house on site, just mobile homes and lorries. It is a glorified gypsy site! The RSPCA have not handled the situation at all well. I wonder if all the money these people make is declared to the Inland Revenue. I will never forget the sad eyes I saw there.

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smudge, Wiltshire says...
7:15pm Thu 15 May 08

Well Well Well look at these tooooo poor people saying that they only rescue and rehome dogs that is the biggest load of rubbish i have ever heard !!!! They make me sooo angry please take a look at there websites are they have 32 puppies for sale at the moment !!!
www.oaktreekennels.n
et
www.luckypawsdogresc
ue.com

We need to get them shut down its just tooo get money !!!! The RSPCA have done nothing about it !!1

Any ideas on how ???
Get back as im up to help

Report this post »

pauline, wilts says...
9:14pm Thu 15 May 08

i to would be very concerned about this place,having visited the said kennels and seeing what i can only discribe as very sad uncared for dogs ,,puppys in cage like pens with only wet concreat to lay on no sign of bedding for them,, only a young girl in charge who new next to nothing about dogs,, adult dogs with like another poster has already said runny eyes and dirty coats,,i for one was totaly appalled at this so called kennels and was glad when the RSPCA took the dogs,,i can not beleave they took them back SHAME ON YOU RSPCA SHAME ON YOU

Report this post »

smudge, Wiltshire says...
9:23pm Thu 15 May 08

2 Cavalier x boys 5 months,Bleniem colour £300
Chihuahua boy 10 months red long coat £350
chihuahua 10 months old black & tan£350
J Russell x Westy boy 5 mths £150
Westy **** 2 years old £200
Bichon Frise boy kc reg stud dog £350
Bichon Frise girl not kc 14 mths £350
Jack Russell **** long coated red & white **** 2 years old £150
2 Yorkshire terriors boys £300
3 Patterdale x jacks £150
3 Border terrior x lakeland £150
Collie puppies

2 girls 2 boys, very sweet, 10wks old, bundles of fun , various colours. £150 each

Springer x pup

girl, 10wks old, x blue merle collie, very different markings, blue with blue spots and blue eyes, must be seen to fall in love. £200
Cairn Terrier

3yrs old, male,light fawn, long coated, very friendly happy chap. £200
Cavalier King Charles X
x2 boys , 10mts old, very sweet, one short coated and one long, black and tan , bleinem. £300 each.
Border Collie

2yrs old, male, black and white, lovely natured, great temperment, mircochipped all vaccs upto date . £ 80


These are some of the dogs she currently has for sale !!!!!! ooooo look Border collies i think that women was right

Report this post »

Nick Hall, Birmingham says...
11:15pm Thu 15 May 08

Sounds like a lot of jealousy between rescues out there.

Lets face it, you're all in the "business" of selling dogs, even the RSPCA. Some of you are better at it than others and part of the jostling for position involves claiming others don't care about dogs and are just in it for the money.

I'll believe you all care when you rehome dogs for free or a token amount rather than kill them when people can't pay. Until then skip the holier than thou attitudes. Business is business.

Report this post »

Shirley, Calne. says...
8:45am Fri 16 May 08

To Nick,
I don't know who you are but you are not a dog lover! Within the rescue I work with we DO NOT sell dogs! It is not a business. The most important thing is the welfare of the dog and these people do not care about that at all.

I hope with your attitude that you do not have a dog, if you do I feel sorry for him. I would also suggest that you visit the kennel and have a good look round.

Report this post »

donteventhinkit, Corsham says...
9:00am Fri 16 May 08

Look its not hard to solve just dont choose to go there when you want a dog or puppy.If you go to a rescue conditions are not always top notch as some rescues are small and barely funded but if the animals look happy sociable and healthy and there space is clean with basic needs met the staff can tell you about each animal then there is nothing wrong that some extra money wouldnt solve to improve kennels and fund changes.If your not happy go else where its not like there is a shortage of rescues

Report this post »

animallover, chippenham says...
10:11am Fri 16 May 08

These people are fully licensed for what they are doing. they have inspected on a regular basis, vet visits often. They have nothing to hide , and will welcome anybody to view the kennels. they have a not non-destruction policy for all dogs unlike other rescue centres, and no waiting list.Surely this is why they rehoming many dogs as its in the interest of the animal. They even have a air conditioned dog transport vans! talk about treating the dogs right!!!
Shirely from calne obviously has a lot to say about the kennels. I wonder if she is fully licensed, and what rescue does she come from??? and whats her website??

Report this post »

Shirley, Calne. says...
11:24am Fri 16 May 08

I think some of you have the wrong idea about these kennels. Until they were raided by the RSPCA all they did was sell puppies and adults. It was a business venture. Rehoming did not come into the equation until recently. They are hoping to get the sympathy vote and it is working with some of you! Please go there, ask questions and look at the dogs. I can't see any exercise runs in front of those pens. There are several dogs in each with no room for a little trot around. In answer to your question, I do not have a licence because no rescues are kept here. I work with a breed club rescue.

I still don't understand why you think they are rehoming so many dogs, these are ones they have bred or got in from a friend of theirs. They swap the dogs around and then sell them!!!!!

Report this post »

animallover, chippenham says...
12:27pm Fri 16 May 08

Well i brought a border collie boy from the Kennels named Lucky Paws Dog Rescue a few wks ago, paid £40 donation which i thought was very reasonable. They also sugessed mircochipping him as they are both qualified to do so. I thought this was a great idea so did so. As for exercise area, they have half an acre fully enclosed paddock which i took the dog out in to see if he mixed with my own dog, of which they did. I believe the two ladys that run the kennels are doing an excellent job and i will surport them all the way.

Shirley, you comment you dont have any dogs there so how can practice what you dont do.so whats the name of this breed club rescue????

Report this post »

sally, chippenham says...
12:46pm Fri 16 May 08

If a kennels are licenced they have to meet criteria and they obviously have, where rehoming and rescue dont have to be licenced so I think that makes it much better, whereas some places will have never been inspected are there many rehoming and rescues that actually hold any licences at all?

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greentrees, chippenham says...
12:55pm Fri 16 May 08

All dog lovers will realise that it is better for a dog to have a new home than be destroyed, some rescues are full and have no option but to suggest this, if your dog has become a problem eg biting etc what else can be done not everyone has facilities to retrain and most places are full of dogs that can't be rehomed please think about the end of the road for these poor dogs, how many are turned away or abandoned because they are refused to be taken on

Report this post »

pauline, wilts says...
5:20pm Fri 16 May 08

moonraker1 wrote:
Dogs are just wild animals, no different to a rat, fox, badger. if they become a pest get rid of them, the price of a shotgun cartridge is about 50p, a hell of a lot cheaper than kennels.
i am totaly disgusted at some of the comments being made here!!! the biggest pests on this planet are humans not animals,,and the attacks being made on shirlie are totaly uncalled for,,FACT the said kennels were not licenced untill resently,,FACT the RSPCA did raid said kennels and take the dogs so they must have had reason,, concerns,, Fact i have visited the kennels last year and know what i saw,,I have known shirlie for a good number of years and she works unselfishly rehoming dogs,raising money for dogs in distress and is an expert in all aspects of rescue and has been for 30 years plus,, in no way is a buisness,she makes no money infact she is often out of pocket she does it out of the sheer love of dogs,,as for some of the coments being made here the people making them have had obviously had no experance of rescue ,,nore as in moonrkers post any love of dogs or animals,,i think your post most distastfull,,in fact i think your a moron.

Report this post »

greentrees, chippenham says...
5:45pm Fri 16 May 08

I am sure she is doing a good job so is anyone that can help these dogs in need of homes thats all that matters

Report this post »

greentrees, chippenham says...
5:45pm Fri 16 May 08

I am sure she is doing a good job so is anyone that can help these dogs in need of homes thats all that matters

Report this post »

smudge, Wiltshire says...
7:14pm Fri 16 May 08

I have visited the place myself and found that there were dogs in crates and loads in each pen i asked about a dog with a bold patch and she didnt ahve much on the infomation on the dog she was looking at it trying to rememeber something.
Look at her website this shows how many dogs she breeding and dont know how she can get away with it its aboslutly awful !!! The RSPCA should be ashamed i have no faith in them anymore
They need to be shutdown!!!
shes not rescuing because she wants to its a way she can breed mass numbers of dogs as well

AWFUL PLACE !!!!

Report this post »

greentrees, chippenham says...
7:49pm Fri 16 May 08

have you any comments on other rescues or sactuarys in wiltshire I think there are two

Report this post »

smudge, Wiltshire says...
9:06pm Fri 16 May 08

n0 i think they are all run the at there best unlike this one !!!!

Report this post »

Border Collie Rescue, Wales says...
2:23pm Sun 18 May 08

I would just like to clarify what was said in Ty-agored newsletter, and that these kennels were looking for dogs, not taking them because they were being pts. During December we were approached by a lady who runs a small santuary in Wiltshire.
"Have you any Border Collies" she asked. In January we took 6 dogs to her, and they were adopted within days. A second trip was organised, this time the dogs who had been with us for several months. All were rehomed within days. Lucky Paws were asking for Border Collies, and i find it hard to believe that she manages to rehome them in such a short period of time, ive been involved with collie rescue for years, and it is hard to find the right sort of homes for these dogs, the only reason i can think of is that the dogs are being placed anywhere, and she proudly advertised on her website that she dosnt home check, so the dogs will more than likely end up back in rescue, or on the streets as strays.

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Border Collie Rescue, Wales says...
3:12pm Sun 18 May 08

Jack Russell Adult ****

Chippenham, Wiltshire, UK (14/05/2008)

Long coat red & white 2 yrs old lovely temp, good with other dogs has had one litter brilliant mum please phone 07968 655881 . . . . (click for more details)
£150
Bichon Frise Dog & ****

Chippenham, Wiltshire, UK (14/05/2008)

Boy Kc reg stud dog girl not kc 14mths old good temperaments please phone 07968 655881 . . . . (click for more details)
£350 each
Chihuahua Males 6 Mths

Chippenham, Wiltshire, UK (14/05/2008)

Both parents can be seen small long coated, lovely cheeky temperaments please phone 07968 655881 . . . . (click for more details)
£500
Japanese Chin Pups

Chippenham, Wiltshire, UK (14/05/2008)

2 BOYS £500 2 GIRLS £700 lovely fluffy coats, fully vacinated vet checked please phone 07968 655881 . . . . (click for more details)
£500
Black & Tan Chihuahua 10 Mths

Chippenham, Wiltshire, UK (14/05/2008)

long coat black & tan lovely temperament please phone 07968 655881 . . . . (click for more details)
£400
Chihuahua Boy 10 Mths Old

Chippenham, Wiltshire, UK (14/05/2008)

Lovely gentle temperament, broke front leg last september, all mended now not castrated others available please phone 07968 655881 . . . . (click for more details)
£350
Cavalier X

Chippenham, Wiltshire, UK (14/05/2008)

Looks like cavy but smaller bleinem colour, lovely temperaments please phone 07968 655881 . . . . (click for more details)


Report this post »

Border Collie Rescue, Wales says...
3:14pm Sun 18 May 08

Yorkie Terrier Boys

Chippenham, Wiltshire, UK (14/05/2008)

10wks old,boys, very sweet, friendly natures. . . . . (click for more details)
£300
Border Terrior X

Chippenham, Wiltshire, UK (14/05/2008)

border terrior x lakeland, lovely lively temperaments please phone 07968 655881 . . . . (click for more details)
£150
Black Jacks

Chippenham, Wiltshire, UK (14/05/2008)

Patterdale x Jack russell, look like paterdales, or black jacks lovely lively temperament please phone 07968 655881 . . . . (click for more details)
£150
Westy X Jack Russell

Chippenham, Wiltshire, UK (14/05/2008)

Lovely temperament 5 months old . . . . (click for more details)


Report this post »

Border Collie Rescue, Wales says...
3:16pm Sun 18 May 08

"We are now focusing on the rehoming side of things and don't even breed that many dogs anymore.

Seems strange when all these puppies are being advertised by them on pets4homes

Report this post »

Border Collie Rescue, Wales says...
3:22pm Sun 18 May 08

Black Jacks

Chippenham, Wiltshire, UK (14/05/2008)

Patterdale x Jack russell, look like paterdales, or black jacks lovely lively temperament please phone 07968 655881 . . . . (click for more details)
£150
Westy X Jack Russell

Chippenham, Wiltshire, UK (14/05/2008)

Lovely temperament 5 months old . . . . (click for more details)
Blue Merle Spirnger X Girl Puppy

Chippenham, Wiltshire, UK (14/05/2008)

Very pretty and differently marked, 10 wks old, springer x blue merle collie, loves playing, very friendly. . . . . (click for more details)
£200
Border Collie Puppies

Chippenham, Wiltshire, UK (13/05/2008)

boys and girls , 8 weeks old, cute bundles of fun, various colours. . . . . (click for more details)
And who knows how many more there are????




Report this post »

greentrees, chippenham says...
4:42pm Sun 18 May 08

In wiltshire there are hardley any collies, that is why they are very popular dogs, maybe in your area there are so many that is it very difficult to home them do you have a website then perhaps people can contact you for collies then it might be easier for you to home them thank you

Report this post »

moonraker1, chippenham says...
8:40pm Sun 18 May 08

In the far east Dog cn be found on most menus, Sweet & sour spaniel seem to go well. if you cant get rid of these dogs, then why not shove them off to the far east, yum yum.

Report this post »

smudge, Wiltshire says...
8:58pm Sun 18 May 08

greentrees wrote:
In wiltshire there are hardley any collies, that is why they are very popular dogs, maybe in your area there are so many that is it very difficult to home them do you have a website then perhaps people can contact you for collies then it might be easier for you to home them thank you
whos greentrees ??? and wat they on about theres loads in wiltshire most common actually !!!!

Report this post »

Curious, Chippenham says...
10:09am Mon 19 May 08

Lol moonraker1, but looking at the cost of these animals it’s making for one real expensive menu, personally I think I’ll just stick to the traditional cat, bamboo shoots and water chestnuts with house special fried rice.

Report this post »

The Maxter, Chippenham says...
1:48pm Mon 19 May 08

Quite clearly they are reselling animals. however, it doesn't matter that they are registered recently or 10 years ago, they ARE registered. -Don't like 'em? Dont use 'em!

Report this post »

moonraker1, chippenham says...
4:00pm Mon 19 May 08

Maybe its time that Dog owners and dog lovers were hit in the pocket instead of the tax payers having to foot the bill to pay for these rodents.

Pet licences to return

£100 for a dog.
£50 for a cat.

No point whinging about the money, lets face its how many sad gits buy their pets these pathetic clothes to wear. if they can afford that sort of tripe then they can afford a license.


Report this post »

Curious, Chippenham says...
5:41pm Mon 19 May 08

ok ok ok, the only way to settle this dispute is to ask our little canine friends what they think and how they feel about it all, the truth from, erm.. the doggies mouth so to speak, see below... and yes, it is for real

The Bow-Lingual Dog Translator

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Now people can understand their dogs better than ever before with a gadget that translates doggy talk into human words. Bow-Lingual, the new device made by toymaker Takara Co. has dogs saying things like "I'm feeling great!" "It's so annoying!" and "Come on, play with me!" Kids and grown-ups alike are fascinated by the thought of finding out what their canine buddies are really thinking.

Bow-Lingual is the first product to feature the Japan Acoustic Laboratory's advanced Animal Emotion Analysis System, a sophisticated voiceprint technology that allows dogs and their owners to communicate more easily.

When your dog barks, Bow-Lingual's Bark Translation Mode beams the sound from the collar microphone to the handheld receiver, and matches it to the doggie database. The sound is analyzed using a multi- point system, and then transformed into words and illustrations on the LCD screen. In Data Analysis Mode, can track your dog's emotions over time.

Report this post »

donteventhinkit, Corsham says...
7:20pm Mon 19 May 08

moonraker1 wrote:
Maybe its time that Dog owners and dog lovers were hit in the pocket instead of the tax payers having to foot the bill to pay for these rodents. Pet licences to return £100 for a dog. £50 for a cat. No point whinging about the money, lets face its how many sad gits buy their pets these pathetic clothes to wear. if they can afford that sort of tripe then they can afford a license.
Where did u get this crap from dogs dont cost tax payers anything rescues are self funded not council funded the waste bins and dog warden dont come out of your council tax payment idiot.
My dogs certainly dont cost you a penny and as for tax well check this out
Dog food is taxed no matter what amount you buy unless you buy for working dogs and most people dont
Vet care is taxed regardless
it costs anything from 500-1000 a year to keep a dog happy and healthy.
this tax goes to pay for dog wardens and dog waste bins that folk like you fill with pizza boxes.
So at what point does a dog cost you f£$k all unless you choose to own one.

Report this post »

Carolyn, corsham says...
3:09pm Tue 20 May 08

I bought a puppy from Oaktree kennels 2 years ago, the puppy was in good health and came with all the correct paperwork, vacination details etc, i also got one months free insurance, i also got a puppy starter pack, i was impressed by the attention to detail, i have been back several times since buying the puppy to buy dog food and ask advice i have always found oaktree to be most helpfull, the place has always been imaculate, i do not understand all the bad comments about this place, if there were more kennells as well run as this one dogs would have a much better life, i would recomend any body to go to this place because i am confident they would come away with a happy well looked after dog and get free after care advice whenever they needed it, you try calling the RSPCA after hours for advice you would get nowhere where as you can phone Oaktree any time day or night and they would gladly help you.

Report this post »

Redlilly, Bristol says...
6:18pm Sun 7 Sep 08

I actually bought one of the dogs in the adverts you have listed. The dog was 100% healthy (i had him checked by my vet 2 days after bringing him home) and came with all correct paperwork & documentation. The yard in question was in a clean tidy organized state when i visited. I would imagine some comments on here are simply assumptions. I appreciate some people may have had bad experiences, on the whole however, i have nothing but good things to say.

Report this post »

sixela, Calne says...
8:11pm Wed 12 Nov 08

We have just bought a West Highland Terrier puppy-nine weeks...gorgeous little thing! We found the kennels clean and perfectly accomodating to the animals. Admitdly we had reservations due to the number of puppies advertised on www.pets4home and when we visited there was several puppies with no parents and the reason given to us about our little girl and her siblings(2 girls and 2 boys left!) is that they were brought in with mum as her owners had their home repossesed and were moving into rented housing and couldn't take them. Yes we thought breeding farm initaially but so what if they do and so what if they ask for money rather than a donation if you don't like it then a/don't go b/refuse to pay! It is great being able to do your bit by re-homing a puppy rather than an adult dog especially if you have got children.

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smalldoggirl, wiltshire says...
8:28pm Sun 14 Dec 08

The website looks OK to me, although have not been to see the kennels. I think the dog kennel thing is very difficult, and I have never been to a kennel I liked simply because that is not a nice way to keep a dog, but sometimes necessary. The chihuahuas and greyhounds in the photos look gorgeous and well looked after but I shall visit and see for myself. I did think the prices for the chihuahuas for very high for rehoming but then people pay stupid prices for them anyway.

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Comments are closed on this article.

Owners Lucy Phillips and Sally Griggs with Bruno at Oak Tree Kennels, Kington St Michael Owners Lucy Phillips and Sally Griggs with Bruno at Oak Tree Kennels, Kington St Michael

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