A breeder of lakeland terriers and other small breeds was prosecuted some years ago all dogs taken away but due to a technicallity some dogs were returned,this woman now has over twenty dogs possibly 30  and in an appaling condition the powers that be seem reluctant to do anything as everytime they visit she knows before hand and only shows them the dogs she wants them to see We have terrible photographic evidence and a vet report but still the "man who can "does nothing.
what can be done ? anyone know ?

Have the RSPCA been involved and also the council as she wouldn't she have to register seeing as she has so many dogs ? Also try the local paper to see if they would help :)

Lucy
xx

Can the police help?

I found the RSPCA useless, but reporting animal neglect to the police as it is cruelty they are supposed to do something as you have reported a crime. (That info I got from the Kennel Club, when I had a similar problem with my daughters dog she had rescued from a puppy farmer).

Also if four or more litters are being bred per year then she must be licensed and all dogs must be seen. If she is not licensed then she is technically breaking the law, but sometimes you have to really push the local council to do anything about this. Also if puppies are being sold then it is something the tax man would be very interested in I am sure.

Proving cruelty is difficult due to the laws of the land, so to speak. I would certainly go to the Police, show them whatever evidence you have, and see what they advise. I think the RSPCA have quite limited powers of entry. Have you shown them the pictures? The council may be interested due to the amount of dogs she has, some bylaws state the amount of dogs you are allowed to have in a private home, before it becomes classed as a business. Read something about that once, so may be worth a call to them. if you can prove she breeds more than 4 litters a year they may also be interested from this point of view, but the tax man might certainly be lol....

>I think the RSPCA have quite limited powers of entry.

So far, yes, they currently have no more powers of entry than any other civilian (although they wear an official-looking uniform, they aren't police). I remember reading about how there was a proposal to change that though ...

same here JG, didnt know if it had come into force yet or not though :) I gather there were a lot of objections from dog breeders and those that keep lots of dogs for show, work etc (rather than a pet,) because they didnt want them to be able to have the power to just walk in.

Even the police can't just walk in; they need a warrant first. The proposal was that RSPCA personnel would be above that - and there's no way I'd accept a civilian having the power to come into my house uninvited.

They seem to have a very good working relationship with the police who can obtain warrents for them which seems adequate to me. 

get tv or new paper reporters in they love it and will do any thing to get a good story.

do they sell puppy,s or dog on then the reporter could go under cover buyer of a puppy, they got good hiden camars that took take the detail how the dogs are kept ,

Great idea briedog!