The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Second whistleblower reveals horrors of ‘puppy farm’
A second former worker at an alleged Perthshire puppy farm has come forward with claims of horrific abuse suffered by animals as the Scottish SPCA prepares a report for the procurator fiscal.
The whistleblower, who wished to remain anonymous, follows Perth dog walker Tiegan Walker in detailing the living quarters of dozens of dogs and cats, some with missing eyes and limbs.
Both workers lasted less than a day at the proper ty in the Glenalmond area after responding to an advert on Gumtree for an “inhouse dog and cat carer and cleaner” offering £1,000 a month to live on the site.
The anonymous source fled the alleged puppy farm in horror and a ler ted the authorities.
T he y said: “I was shown into a dirty house and asked to clean out a room with approximately eight German shepherd puppies in it. It was covered in faeces and urine, and the puppies were wet and cold and (had) no food or water – until I took them some.
“No adult dogs were with them. There were three rooms like this and outdoor kennels.
“These kennels were again dirty with no beds, food, water or any heating. There were two dogs to each kennel and they were numbered rather than named.
“T here was also a large number of dogs in
a field that appeared older. These all weren’t German shepherds.
“Some of the puppies did not seem in great health , some were missing eyes and limbs.”
Tiegan told The Courier how she witnessed Bengal cats kept in “horrific conditions” and had been told that 125 animals lived on the property at one point.
She also s aw dogs crammed into cupboards and puppies living in a bathroom.
The S c o tt i s h SPCA raided the property in rural Per thshire last month, rescuing more than 60 dogs and cats from the site.
Last week the charity went public with the operation in the hope of raising funds to help look after the animals.
Since then, both the SSPCA and Perth and Kinross Council have come under fire after it was revea led the organisations were alerted to the situation 18 months ago.
One nearby resident told The Courier: “The whole thing has been going on for 18 months and we have been trying to get answers.
“It ’s a comp lete whitewash. The whole thing was brushed under the carpet. Why did all these dogs and puppies have to suffer for 18 months because of inaction by the SSPCA and animal w e l f a r e? Wh y ? It is appalling.”
The SSPCA refused to comment on an ongoing investigation but said they will be sending a report to the procurator fiscal.
Pe r t h and Kinross Council said it thoroughly in v e s t iga t e s a l l allegations regarding the mistreatment of animals.
The puppies were wet and cold