More than 250 dogs crammed into single property found in devastating rescue: ‘This photo is not AI’
More than 250 poodle-mix dogs were rescued from a single property in what animal welfare experts called a “shocking” example of a growing problem.
The RSPCA posted photos on social media of the dogs found crammed into a single living room, but were met with accusations from stunned viewers that the images were created by artificial intelligence (AI).
But the images are real and rescuers said they showed the “shocking reality” of what can happen when overbreeding causes owners to become overwhelmed and living conditions deteriorate.
RSPCA Inspector Jo Hirst said: “This shocking image is the reality of too many animal incidents and is what our frontline officers are increasingly faced with – an increase in reports of incidents involving 10, 20 or even 100 animals.”
“We know people are so horrified they can’t believe what they see. But this photo is real, not artificial intelligence.”
Of the 250 undisclosed dogs found at the rescue, the RSPCA took 87 and the rest went to the Dogs Trust’s rehoming centre.
It comes after the animal welfare charity saw a 70 per cent increase in multi-animal incidents involving 20 or more animals in England and Wales since 2021.
Last year, 4,200 incidents were attended to in England and Wales involving at least 10 animals found to be living at the same address.
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. He said they often start with well-intentioned owners who lose control of a situation.
He added that a rise in cases of cruelty and neglect had led to a six-year high in the number of animals in his care, with almost half being made emergency boarders as many of the centers were full to bursting point.
Ms Hirst urged people to consider adopting a pet to free up space in the RSPCA’s busy centers and support the charity to respond to more multi-animal incidents.
“We urgently need to find suitable homes for the countless animals in our care,” he said. “Adopting from one of our centers or branches can be very rewarding – and we encourage anyone who can afford to add a rescue pet to their family to take a look at our special offer. Find a Pet web pages“
