Crufts winner banned from owning dogs after 77 dogs found starving in filthy conditions

Crufts winner banned from owning dogs after 77 dogs found starving in filthy conditions WARNING: DISTRESSING IMAGES - Former Crufts winner Lynda Cooper, 74, has been banned from keeping animals for 10 years after RSCPA inspectors made the grim discovery A former Crufts winner has been barred from keeping animals for a decade after inspectors uncovered 77 dogs living at her home in filthy, neglectful conditions. Lynda Cooper, 74, admitted 11 animal welfare offences and breeding dogs without a licence after 41 dogs and two puppy litters were discovered at her squalid home in Pontypool, South Wales. The puppies were found to have suffered from malnutrition, as well as other medical conditions, including severe dental disease and untreated ear infections. Six of the older dogs sadly had to be put down. The rest of the dogs have since been rehomed through the charity Hope Rescue. In July 2024, the council received a complaint regarding the welfare of Cooper's dogs and concerns of illegal breeding were raised which was referred to the RSPCA, reports Wales Online. In August that same year, officers from the council's licensing and trading standards teams, alongside representatives from Animal Licensing Wales and a veterinarian, obtained a warrant from the magistrates' court to attend the property. There, they found a large amount of dogs in living in shocking conditions. Sara Rosser, head of operations at Hope Rescue, said the case was one of the most "challenging" and "distressing" the team have been involved in. She said: "Not only from the sheer number of dogs but also their condition. On arrival with us the dogs were in a devastating state - severely underweight, many suffering from advanced dental disease and chronic ear infections. "Older dogs had lost muscle mass and mobility, and were so physically depleted they were unable to reach food before the younger dogs. Many, especially the younger dogs, were very nervous and lacking in life experience so required additional support and rehabilitation." The dogs and puppies were removed from the property and provided with the medical treatment and were rehomed after the council were granted permission to take possession of the animals. On June 19, Cooper pleaded guilty to 11 animal welfare offences and breeding dogs without a licence. The offences included causing unnecessary suffering to animals and failing to meet their welfare needs. Cooper was ordered to pay £10,000 towards council costs, a victim surcharge of £187, and was banned from keeping dogs for 10 years.