Dead Puppies Found In Freezers Inside Illegal Dog Selling Farms; 4 Arrested

Four dog traders have been arrested in the U.K. after authorities found multiple dead puppies kept in freezers inside two illegal dog farms.

The detainees, Stacey Hayward, 41, Steven Foster, 42, Kelly Bennett, 43, and Ricky Bennett, 41, pled guilty to either fraud or acquiring criminal property at Basildon Crown Court last week. Kelly entered guilty pleas for two offenses under the criminal welfare act, while Ricky Bennett pled guilty to one animal welfare offense, Yahoo News U.K. reported.

The Special Operations Unit (SOU) of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), which investigates serious, organized and commercial animal cruelty, began looking into premises in Billericay in 2019 after complaints poured in from consumers about their puppies falling ill just days after the purchase. One family told the court they bought a puppy from Hayward in July 2019, only to lose it tragically to parvovirus days later.

The authorities then raided the two illegal Billericay properties linked to the defendants, where adult dogs and puppies were eventually found. Dead puppies were also discovered in freezers at both sites, according to ITV.

The court was informed that Hayward acquired a license to sell puppies. However, it was revoked in 2018 due to complaints about sick animals. Her breeding license, on the other hand, expired in December 2018.

Hayward and Kelly reportedly advertised more than 500 high-value puppies, which they described as "bred at home," for sale for 16 months. But a number of the canines seem to have been sourced from Wales. The animals reportedly came with doctored Welsh vaccination cards.

The search at the properties also yielded nine living puppies, one of which tested positive for parvovirus and died later while under RSPCA's care. The remaining pooches were all found to have been affected with Giardia, a small parasite that targets the intestines, and other health problems. They recovered fully and were rehomed.

It is estimated that the four dog traders made £850,000 ($1,060,273). They will be sentenced at Basildon Crown Court on Aug. 12.