RSPCA press release:

A St Bernard breeder who pleaded guilty to neglecting 99 dogs was today sent to prison for 18 weeks.

Mary Ellen Collis, 51, of Denby Lane, Wakefield was also banned from keeping animals for 10 years by Wellingborough Magistrates. The charges related to causing unnecessary suffering to 85 St Bernard dogs and failing to meet the welfare needs of another 14.

The RSPCA was alerted to the condition of the dogs by concerned members of the public. Inspectors attended Wardana kennels on Stanion Road in Brigstock along with police and a veterinary surgeon at the end of November 2008.

The dogs, aged between nine weeks to eight years of age, were being kept in kennels which were covered in urine and faeces. There was no food or water available for them. Their coats were filthy and matted with faeces. Nine puppies were kept in a separate pen with no food or
water. The pen was cold and the heat lamps provided were not working
due to a lack of electricity. Thirteen dogs were found in the kitchen of the house connected with the kennels.

Eighty-five of the St Bernards were suffering from medical problems such as abscesses, ulcerated skin and eye conditions and ear infections which had not been treated. Many were emaciated. Three of the puppies were very thin and their ribs were visible.

One dog was unable to stand and was suffering from dehydration. She had several open sores on her legs and feet caused by pressure and urine scalds. Another was in such a poor condition that the vet had to put the dog to sleep at the scene to prevent him from suffering further.

Another dog died overnight after suffering a heart attack at the veterinary surgery. He was thin, covered in faeces and was suffering from severe dehydration. Another had severely ulcerated eyes, which had not been treated and caused blindness.

Vets concluded that most of the dogs had suffered from neglect for several weeks or months.

In sentencing, the chair of magistrates, Dr Pugsley, said: "As a trained veterinary nurse you should have known what was required."

In mitigation, Collis said that she had been breeding the dogs for about 30 years and had not encountered any significant problems before.
Her solicitor said that she had been hiding from the circumstances surrounding her bankruptcy and that she had not intentionally neglected the dogs.

RSPCA inspector Clint Davies said: "Whilst there was no deliberate
cruelty here, these dogs had been left in such a poor state that others may have died had we not been alerted. Many were in pain and suffering just because they had not received veterinary treatment and food.

"I am confident that the sentence will protect future animals from a similar fate.

"Thanks to the hard work of vets, our inspectors, officers and animal centres, new homes have now been found for all of the dogs. This could not have been done without the support of the public across the country who have once again helped us to provide a lifeline for animals in desperate need."

Saw this tonight on TV.  I remember all the talk on here when the dogs were found abandoned. 

She looked well dressed and fit, unlike her charges.  To go off on holiday and leave them?  I'm afraid that I don't think her sentence is long enough.

Only banned for 10 years, as opposed to life?   I don't call it much of a punishment.  Did you see the state of some of those dogs?  It didn't happen overnight.  That neglect had gone on for some time.

To go off on holiday and leave them?
I heard that she'd left her kennel maid in charge with casual staff - the way that kennels are usually run - and it was her who'd let the dogs down.  But it was quicker for the owner to plead guilty.

Did you see the state of some of those dogs?  It didn't happen overnight.
No but dogs of that size who hadn't been let out - and they obviously hadn't :( - could look like that after just a few days. :(  Dogs can certainly be dehydrated in a couple of days with NO water.  And dogs of that size can also lose weight dramatically in a couple of days with NO food.  Never acceptable.

On TV they reported that some had ear/eye infections and ulcers, but that wouldn't be unusual either for such a large number of dogs.  The report above says 85!  But we all know not to believe everything that's written eh? :( 

It's not unusual for such a large breed to sleep in such confines if they have space during the day.  The kennels at the St Bernard Pass is actually very similar.  The problem was that these dogs hadn't received good husbandry for days and were undoubtably suffering and the buck stops with the owner for her error of judgment.  No mentally stable person would go away and think that 99 dogs would be OK without food and water for days! :(

Still 99 dogs with a cr*p life though. :-(

Why only 10 years ? She should be banned for life .

I can't imagine having that many dogs. I think I've got my hand full with only half a dozen

RSPCA inspector Clint Davies said: "Whilst there was no deliberate
cruelty here

This is the bit that made me laugh...how can that sentence even make sense?  The owner/kennel maid/whoever was meant to be looking after these dogs DID cause deliberate cruelty by allowing the conditions to go on for months and months!  And they surely can't use the excuse of the conditions "going unnoticed" - pull the other one...

Well for what my opinion is worth she should have had a lifetime ban. The final responsibility lies with her, not the kennel maid. I would never go and leave my dogs without knowing I had 100% faith in whoever was looking after them. I also phone every day and have neigbours who wouold alert me to anything untoward happening. She was supposed to be bankrupt!!! Lucky her if she could still afford a hoilday...all my money would be poured into the dogs. If she knew she could not afford them then she should have given some into rescue weeks before this state was allowed to happen. Dogs may go downhill fast but far be it from me to argue the toss with a vet as to how long it took them to get into the state they were in, I did not see them they did! In my mind she is dispicable and no better than a puppy farmer. No one can give enough time to so many dogs, they must have suffered from lack of company, and exersice. Lets face it to just give each of lets say 80 dogs a good half hours walk a day, two at a time  would take one person a full 20 hours, then divide by maybe 5 staff, that is still 5 hours a day just walking with out cleaning kennels, feeding grooming etc... and half an hour once a day is just not enough for a dog who spends it's whole life in a kennel or run. No one should have so many dogs. I can get my head round so many in boarding kennels, after all for a couple of weeks a year most dogs will cope with less exersise than normal, and for a house dog a life in kennels for a couple of weeks a year is probably quite interesting for them with lots of other dogs to "chat" to. But these poor animals had a life of 24/7 in these conditions. The very soon get bored with looking at one another for extended pireods of time.
No NOT a strict enough sentence for me!
Aileen

Has there been any statement from the KC? She was an Accredited Breeder, I think and the KC should be coming down hard on peeps like that.

people that own so many dogs, should have inspectors and regular spot checks. I thought it said on the news, someone who took there dog to be kenneled, noticed no one was there and raised the alarm? Why didn't the so called kennel maid! guilty by association. They should all be held responsible. Band for life from having any pet. and a lot longer sentence. The dogs were in a dreadful state. Poor mites, wicked, wicked women. This is the kind of women that gives all breeders a bad name.
Leave her in a room with us all!!

Denese 

I just hope they're all happy & healthy now. Hopefully in loving homes x