This is the moment 250 poodles were rescued from the same house after their owners claimed they were ‘overwhelmed by breeding’.
The poor animals were discovered in a home covered in their own filth with many of them suffering from sore skin and matted coats.
In a disgusting picture from inside the house, the dogs can be seen clambering over each other as they fill a room nearly from wall to wall. Some of the pooches take shelter elsewhere with two sat under a table and one perched inside a woodburner.
Many of the dogs were then taken to the RSPCA’s Radcliffe Animal Centre, in Nottingham, where some of the pets were so terrified of the outside world that they had to be carried from their kennels to the grass.
Addressing the rumours circulating online that the picture was AI-generated, RSPCA Superintendent Jo Hirst made clear that the picture was unfortunately very real.
She said: ‘The public’s disbelief is understandable, but this photo is real. Over-breeding and overwhelmed owners can create staggering situations, and our officers are seeing more cases involving 10, 20, even 100 animals.’
Many of the dogs have since found new homes but two poodles – Eva and Teddy – are still at the Radcliffe Animal Centre waiting to find new owners.
Other pets found living in the squalid conditions were sent to other RSPCA centres including Stevie – a deaf and blind cocker spaniel – and Sandy a poodle.
Sandy is Stevie’s very own guide dog helping her navigate the world and so the pair must be rehomed together.
They are currently living at the RSPCA’s Southridge Animal Centre in Hertfordshire.
According to Cambs News, since the pandemic there has been a 70 per cent rise in the number of instances of animals being found living in destitute conditions.
In April 2025, over 80 canines, along with two cats and a chicken, were discovered in a house in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.
Horrid pictures showed the springer spaniels covered in their own filth – crowded together on a rotting staircase thick with dirt and grime.
After the pooches were rescued they were taken into the care of the RSPCA and since then they have been housed in loving homes across the country.
And four of the dogs have been taken on by Greater Manchester Police’s tactical dog unit.
Bruce, Pablo, Lola and Nellie undertook training to become sniffer dogs helping the force during drug busts among other serious crimes.
PC Wes Donnelly from GMP tactical dog unit said: ‘We’re giving them the best life possible.
‘These dogs have gone from being neglected to having a real purpose. Providing their training goes well they’ll soon be helping us detect drugs, cash and other items that support investigations.’
