Puppy found dead in freezer

A raid on a pet farm during which inspectors found a puppy frozen in a freezer has led to a conviction for its owner on eight animal welfare offences.

RSPCA inspectors descended on the Old Ashford Road in Brenzett on the Romney Marsh following complaints by four members of the public.

The complainants had purchased puppies from Mark Burgess between December 2017 and February 2018, with all of the animals quickly falling ill and dying.

Footage captured during the early morning raid on February 21 showed soaked bedding, shelters with bare, rotten floorboards and dogs chained to kennels.

In a bodycam video - projected during the initial trial at Folkestone Magistrates’ court in May - a range of concerns were highlighted, including a cat that was found shivering in a turnedoff freezer.

RSPCA inspectors noted incidents of skin disease, claws growing into toepads and cat flu amongst the animals on the farm.

Among the more shocking discoveries caught on camera was the charred corpse of a small animal discovered in a “burner drum”.

Lead RSPCA inspector Carroll Lamport said: “We found a mix of different breeds at the site including beagles, Dalmatians, spaniels and dachshund crosses.

“Some were pregnant, others had litters of tiny puppies while some had clear signs that they’d been used for breeding previously.

“Some of the dogs were extremely frightened. Some were living in almost complete darkness and others were huddled at the back of their runs.

“One beagle was sitting uncomfortably in a filthy, wet kennel.

“When we searched a freezer on-site we made a horrifying discovery; a small, four-weekold puppy.

“The body was frozen rigid and dumped in the bottom of a bloodsoaked freezer.”

In total, 20 dogs were found living in unsuitable conditions and were seized by police and placed into RSPCA care - 12 adults and eight puppies.

Pictures: RSPCA The RSPCA raid on Mark Burgess’ farm came after a number of puppies died shortly after sale

Dogs were found to be living on bare floors