CHARITY workers from Dorset described scenes as 'some of the worst they had witnessed' after being called to rescue dogs from a puppy farm.

Margaret Green Animal Rescue has homed some of the 96 dogs that were retrieved from a property in Torquay, Devon.

It came after the charity was informed by the RSPCA that a property contained a large number of dogs in need of support.

Upon arrival, charity workers along with others from establishments in the animal welfare sector discovered a scene described as the worst they had ever seen in decades.

A total of 96 visibly shaken Shih-Tzu dogs were found, with the youngest less than a couple of weeks old, while many of the females were pregnant. 

Such was the disregard for the dogs, much of their fur had become matted and they were all riddled with faeces, worms, fleas and urine while one dog, Edwina, had suffered a ruptured eye ulcer which sadly resulted in the eye being removed.
Many of the dogs also had respiratory issues.

Lucy Hooper, the rescue team's fundraising manager told the Echo: “The RSPCA asked for our assistance and wee managed to help get the 96 out. The condition was the worst we have ever seen in decades. 

"We didn’t have much space for any dogs at the time but we would never leave dogs in those conditions.

"They are very traumatised, when I visited them I just saw three sets of eyes peering over a dog bed, trembling. But physically they are doing better than I expected."

The team at Margaret Green Animal Rescue managed to take 25 of the dogs while the rest were saved and rehomed to other rescue centres in the south west. 

The group of 25 were then split in two with some of the dogs being rehomed at their rescue centre near Blandford while the rest went to another home in Devon.

Despite their horrendous beginning to life, following some close care and much-needed attention it would appear that the dogs are on the road to recovery.

“What has been really nice and rewarding for the staff is that the dogs who were terrified are now choosing to come and sit on our knees. It is just lovely to see," Lucy said. 

A statement from the RSPA said: "RSPCA rescue teams worked with the owner to help more than 90 dogs.

"Thanks to the dedication and kindness of a number of animal rescue centres, the dogs are now receiving care and attention from dedicated staff and volunteers, and once they are ready they will be rehomed.

"The animal welfare charity has seen an increase in rescued animals coming into care, with many of our centres already full and others close to capacity.

"At the same time, rehoming is slowing down and there are signs that more people are looking to give up their pets."
You can keep up to date with the progress of the dogs via www.margaretgreenanimalrescue.org.uk