RSPCA says hundreds of dogs rescued from crammed room ‘doing really well’
More than 250 dogs found with matted and crusted fur in an overcrowded home are in “really good condition” after a mass rescue operation, the RSPCA said.
A photo taken by the charity showed dozens of poodle dogs crammed into a dreary room.
There were so many animals that social media users accused the RSPCA of using AI to fake the picture; but the charity rejected the claim, stating that there were so many stories about neglected animals that it did not need to invent any.
The discovery was made in January at an undisclosed location in England. The RSPCA said the conditions and numbers of the dogs had gotten out of control amid “extenuating family circumstances” and that no charges would be taken due to the “extremely vulnerable nature” of their owners.
87 of the rescued animals were seized by the RSPCA and the Dogs Trust took in the rest.
Lee Hopgood, the RSPCA’s operations chief for the North of England, told the BBC that many dogs’ matted and crusted fur required treatment, but surprisingly the animals were doing well and were “in really good shape”.
A spokesman for the Dogs Trust said that after the dogs received care and behavioral support, many were successfully rehomed and “enjoying life in their forever homes”.
They added that some were still with the Dogs Trust, including some who had given birth since the rescue.
Former RSPCA inspection commissioner Dermot Murphy, who adopted one of the dogs named Boone, said the dog was underweight and had pain in his ears and eyes when he was rescued.
“He had never found a clue before, so when you attached a clue he locked his claws to the ground, he didn’t know what it was.”
Adjusting to life outside the cramped room had caused “a bit of sensory overload,” so Boone had to be introduced to new experiences slowly.
But now Boone can get out front and play the ball.
“It’s been wonderful to see how he’s come into his own and become a part of our family,” Mr. Murphy said.
The RSPCA said cases of large numbers of animals being kept at one address could be linked to mental health issues, a cost of living crisis or breeders operating with poor practices.
“We can confirm that no artificial intelligence was used to create this image,” a charity spokesperson said.
“As much as we wish this footage wasn’t real, unfortunately it is – and we’re increasingly being called out for multi-animal reports like this.
“We don’t need to use AI because we have countless stories to share about the animals our frontline teams have helped.”
