Crufts winner is banned from owning dogs for 10 years after 77 pets were found starving and seriously unwell – with some having to be put down
Crufts winner banned from owning dogs for ten years after 77 hunting dogs were found living in serious disrepair on their property; five of them were in very bad condition and had to be put to sleep.
Lynda Cooper, whose hunting dog won six awards at the world’s largest dog show in 2016, admitted 11 welfare offenses, including causing unnecessary suffering to animals and failing to meet the welfare needs of dogs, as well as breeding dogs without a licence.
According to WalesOnline, more than 40 dogs, as well as two puppies, were found at his home in Lower Race, Pontypool, and images show the animals living in squalor.
After their rescue, it was determined that the puppies were suffering from malnutrition, with some dogs suffering from serious dental disease and ear infections.
Unfortunately, according to the UK Animal Cruelty Files, five of the dogs were in such poor physical condition that they had to be put to sleep, and a further two died a few months later.
Some of the older dogs had lost much of their mobility and muscles; A few young dogs were so nervous they needed extra rehabilitation.
Hope Rescue, a dog rescue and rehoming charity in South Wales, was able to rehome the remaining dogs after their recovery.
Torfaen Borough Council was made aware of the dogs’ conditions in July 2024 following a complaint, and the RSPCA was also notified of concerns about illegal breeding.
Lynda Cooper, whose hunting dog won six awards at the world’s biggest dog show in 2016, admitted 11 welfare offenses and was banned from owning dogs for a decade after 77 hunting dogs were found living in serious neglect on her property.
More than 40 dogs, as well as two puppies, were found at his home in Lower Race, Pontypool, revealing harrowing images of the animals living in squalor.
RSPCA officers attempted to visit the property but were refused entry.
A month later, city officials and a veterinarian were able to access the property after obtaining a search warrant and found the dogs living in appalling conditions.
The animals were removed from Ms Cooper’s home, given medical care and re-homed after the council allowed officials to adopt the dogs.
After admitting animal welfare offenses on June 19, Ms Cooper was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years, told to pay £10,000 in council costs – excluding a £187 victim surcharge – and disqualified from keeping dogs for 10 years.
Ms Cooper’s defense lawyer was reported to have told Cardiff Crown Court that the abuse had ‘spiralled’ following her death and that the ill-treatment was ‘not done with intent or malice but through negligence’.
They added that the situation was ‘out of control’ but ‘otherwise he was a loving and good pet owner’.
Sara Rosser, Hope Rescue’s chief of operations, said this was one of the most “sad” and “challenging” cases they had ever had to work on, “not just because of the sheer number of dogs, but also because of their condition.”
He reportedly said: ‘The dogs were in a devastating state when they arrived at us; They were extremely underweight, many suffering from advanced dental disease and chronic ear infections.
Ms Cooper’s defense lawyer told the court that her behavior was “spiralizing” after a loss, and that the mistreatment was “not deliberate or malicious but was due to negligence”.
‘The older dogs had lost muscle mass and mobility and were so physically exhausted that they were unable to reach food before the younger dogs. Many, especially the younger dogs, were very stressed and lacked life experience, so they needed additional support and rehabilitation.’
Miss Cooper’s nine-month-old Bracco Italiano retriever Carlos won six awards at Crufts 10 years ago; this included the reserve dog challenge certificate and the best puppy and young dog.
Ms Cooper told FreePressSeries at the time: ‘I’ve been going for six to seven years and I’ve always won something. I experienced two firsts last year, I started as a hobby, but like everything I put effort into, I became a ribbon chaser.
‘I love my gun dogs and I perform with them every weekend, there is no prize money and I do it purely for fun. Crufts was a great event this year and I’ll be doing it until I leave.’
It was stated that he had a dog breeding license in 2023, but this license was not renewed.
