A Crufts winner has been banned from owning dogs for a decade after 77 hounds were found living in serious neglect at their property – with five so unwell they had to be put down.
Lynda Cooper, whose gun dog won six awards at the world’s largest dog show in 2016, admitted to 11 welfare offences – which included causing unnecessary suffering to animals and failing to meet the dogs’ welfare needs – as well as breeding dogs without a licence.
More than 40 dogs as well as two litters of puppies were found at her home in Lower Race, Pontypool, with upsetting footage showing the animals living in squalor, according to WalesOnline.
The puppies were found to be suffering from malnutrition after they were rescued, with some of the dogs having severe dental disease and ear infections.
Five of the dogs were found in such poor physical condition they had to be put to sleep, with two more dying some months later, according to UK Animal Cruelty Files.
Some of the older dogs had lost much mobility and muscle, with several younger dogs so nervous they required extra rehabilitation.
Hope Rescue, a dog rescue and rehoming charity in South Wales, has been able to rehome the remaining dogs once they recovered.
Torfaen County Borough Council had been made aware of the conditions of the dogs in July 2024 following a complaint, with the RSPCA also notified of concerns over illegal breeding.
Lynda Cooper, whose gun dog won six awards at the world’s largest dog show in 2016, admitted to 11 welfare offences and has been banned from owning dogs for a decade after 77 hounds were found living in serious neglect at her property
More than 40 dogs as well as two litters of puppies were found at her home in Lower Race, Pontypool, with upsetting footage showing the animals living in squalor
RSPCA officers tried to visit the property but were denied entry.
A month later, council authorities and a vet were then able to access the property after obtaining a warrant where they found the dogs living in the appalling conditions.
The animals were removed from Ms Cooper’s home, given medical care and rehomed once the council gave permission for authorities to take possession of the dogs.
After pleading guilty to animal welfare offences on June 19, Ms Cooper received a 12-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years, was told to pay £10,000 towards council costs – not including a £187 victim surcharge – and was disqualified from keeping dogs for 10 years.
Ms Cooper’s defence counsel reportedly told Cardiff Crown Court that she had ‘spiralled’ after a bereavement, with the maltreatment ‘done, not out of deliberate or malicious intent, but out of neglect’.
They added that the situation had become ‘out of hand’ but ‘otherwise she had been a loving and good pet owner’.
Hope Rescue’s head of operations Sara Rosser said this is one of the most ‘distressing’ and ‘challenging’ cases they’ve had to work on ‘not only from the sheer number of dogs but also their condition’.
She reportedly said: ‘On arrival with us the dogs were in a devastating state – severely underweight, many suffering from advanced dental disease and chronic ear infections.
Ms Cooper’s defence counsel told a court that she had ‘spiralled’ after a bereavement, with the maltreatment ‘done, not out of deliberate or malicious intent, but out of neglect’
‘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.’
Ms Cooper’s nine-month-old Bracco Italiano gun dog, Carlos, won six awards at Crufts 10 years ago – this included the reserve dog challenge certificate and best puppy and junior dog.
Ms Cooper said at the time, per FreePressSeries: ‘I have been going for six to seven years and have always won something. Last year I had two firsts, it began as a hobby but like anything you put effort in I have become a ribbon chaser.
‘I love my gun dogs and do shows with them every weekend, there is no prize money involved and I do it purely for the joy of it. Crufts this year was a wonderful event and I will be doing it until I drop off.’
It was reported she had a license to breed dogs in 2023 but this was not renewed.
