Couple face 23 charges of animal cruelty after 50 sick animals found on pomeranian puppy farm

Two people are facing 23 charges of animal cruelty after 50 sick animals were discovered on a pomeranian puppy farm.

A couple accused of running a pomeranian puppy farm face more than 23 animal cruelty charges following the discovery of dozens of animals in poor health at their home.

RSPCA WA allege a 66-year old woman and 61-year old man kept about 42 small dogs in kennels that were covered in urine and had drains clogged with fur and faeces.

Two of the dogs found at the property were euthanised because of their poor condition, while others have since been adopted or placed in foster care.

RSPCA WA allege some of the animals were kept in kennels covered in urine.

An RSPCA WA inspector visited the home in July following a tip-off from a detective who alleged a large number of dogs were in poor condition at the couple’s home.

The inspector alleged there was a strong odour of faeces, dogs were spinning inside their kennels showing signs of a neurological condition, some had dental disease, poor body condition and were abnormally fearful in their presence.

“Multiple pomeranians were confined in the kennels either by themselves or in groups of up to four and they had dirty, matted coats,” an RSPCA WA spokesman said.

“There was a large bucket of water inside each kennel, however, there was urine covering the floors, the drains at the back of the kennels were clogged with fur and faeces, and the dogs only had access to hard plastic beds without any bedding.”

The inspector found about 42 dogs at the premises, including two terriers and a chihuahua, three cats, three chickens and two dead roosters.

RSPCA WA vets examined all animals from the property, and they presented with a myriad of health problems related to their alleged ill treatment.

One of the accused allegedly told the inspector she was unsure when the dogs were last seen by a vet and she checked on the animals “every day” but had not checked on the kennels yet that week nor fed the dogs since the day before.

Six dogs and three cats were surrendered to RSPCA WA that day because it was evident they needed urgent vet care, but when vets examined the animals they realised their health concerns were more severe than first thought.

Inspectors returned to the property for the remainder of the animals. Most were surrendered except for six dogs and two terriers that were ultimately seized.

Vets examined all the animals from the property and found they had health problems related to their treatment.

RSPCA WA allege the accused did not provide the animals with sufficient food and water and could have alleviated their harm by taking reasonable steps.

The Southern River couple are due to front the Armadale Magistrates Court on December 13.

Originally published as Couple face 23 charges of animal cruelty after 50 sick animals found on pomeranian puppy farm