Heidi- 7 mths old
This is the story about poor Heidi (Abbi) - the awful truth about irresponsible breeding and puppy farming
Will the lady that contacted us about the appalling conditions and cruelty occurring in these kennels please re-consider giving a statement to the relevant authorities. With your help we can close these kennels. We appreciate your concern about possible repercussions and risk to your family but your anonymity is assured. Think how many more dogs and puppies will continue to suffer in these dreadful people's hands.
REMEMBER - THE PROCEEDS OF PUPPY FARMING OFTEN SUPPORTS OTHER CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES. STOP THIS TRADE NOW!!
It has shocked us all at the rescue, that this little puppy has been treated so cruelly. We cannot begin to imagine what this dog has been through and the suffering she has endured. She is so traumatised it will take many months to help her gain some confidence and trust people again.
We were recently made aware of a very violent and unpleasant man that has been breeding GSD's along with other breeds and was found to have 18 dogs in a third floor flat in ABERDEEN. Needless to say these dogs didn't get out and one can only imagine the conditions in which they were kept.
The puppies were fed on an adult dry food diet totally unsuitable for a puppies tummy and they became very ill. They were not wormed or vaccinated. After pressure from the council some of these dogs were hastily transferred to a friends kennels in LANARKSHIRE.
On Sunday 30th September Heidi, from what we believe is a puppy farm. The release of this puppy was negotiated by a third party and we visited the kennels posing as friends of hers. The kennels were expecting us but were not aware that we were German Shepherd Rescue as this would have compromised the release of the puppy. The owner appeared a little edgy when we arrived as was another young lady present!
Heidi is very small and very nervous for a 7 mth old puppy
The stench hit us as soon as we got near. There was a male GSD roaming around - he was friendly, docile but thin under his coat. He looked as if he had just been brushed - maybe for our benefit. There was another small dog wandering around - neither of us could identify the breed because it was so filthy and matted.
The wooden kennels were rather old, dilapidated and makeshift. and we can't imagine that they would pass inspection. Something else that struck us was that the wooden huts had either no windows or very small ones. The nearest building to which we stood was dark inside. The door was open but there were no lights on and there appeared to be no natural light filtering through other than from the open door.
Not normal behaviour for a puppy!
We could hear a lot of dogs barking and we heard puppies / young dogs fighting. We asked how many dogs they had and we were told about 50 but we don't know if that included the puppies. We were informed that they had a litter of GSD's and when we asked the kennel manager what colour he said he couldn't remember but he thought they might be black and tan. They certainly didn't offer to let us in the kennels or show us the puppies.
There were 2 large pedigree puppies in a very small pen. They were climbing on the ledges trying to get out. They were filthy and matted. The kennel manager told us they were show dogs and worth around £1000 each!! We asked him if he showed dogs and he said no they just sold them.
The dogs we saw were in a terrible state and yet it was a dry day. The run (if you could call it that) had a hard floor - which was covered in runny faeces and urine.
Heidi just wants to hide anywhere she can
It was a lovely day, sun shining and yet the only dogs we saw were the ones mentioned. There were no other dogs visible or out in runs. In fact we don't think the kennels at the back had runs, which means that these poor animals are caged in dark sheds 24/7, with no access to the outside.
When it came to transferring the white puppy into our vehicle, the owner put a rope lead around the puppies neck and then dragged her choking across the yard through puddles and mud. She would not let us help. She claimed the puppy had a name and yet the dog appeared neither to recognise the name or be familiar with the kennel owner. The puppy was terrified which was very distressing to watch.
Heidi may be considered lucky as she and one other are the only 2 to survive from the litter. We were informed by the kennel manager that the others were in such a bad way that they had to be destroyed. We can't bear to think how these poor puppies were disposed of. These people didn't look the type that would have called in a vet to humanely destroy.
We believe the kennels were going to keep poor Heidi for breeding but thought twice because she is not very big or a good bet for breeding large healthy litters - which would affect their profits.
Beyond belief - part of this place is licenced for breeding by LANARKSHIRE council. We have lodged a complaint. The owner claims she has only a small breeding program and that the rest of the place is a rescue which doesn't need a licence. It would appear that all the kennels are used for puppy farming, there is no rescue and that puppies and breeding bitches are kept in atrocious conditions. What fate awaits them?
We will bring you regular updates on Heidi
Please help us by making a donation so that we can help re home more unwanted German Shepherd Dogs. Donations can be sent to Jayne Shenstone, German Shepherd Rescue UK, Little Vauld, Marden Hereford HR1 3HA. We also accept Paypal payments - just click on the Paypal button below. Thankyou.
