More than 250 poodle-cross dogs were rescued from a single property in what animal welfare experts called a “shocking” example of a growing problem.
The RSPCA posted pictures of the dogs, which were discovered crammed into a single living room space, to social media, but were met with accusations of using artificial intelligence (AI) by aghast viewers.
But the images are real, and rescuers said they showed the “staggering reality” of what can happen when overbreeding causes owners to become overwhelmed and allow living conditions to spiral.
“This shocking image is the reality of many multi-animal cases, and the situation our frontline officers seem to be confronting more and more – with reports of cases involving 10, 20 and even 100 animals on the rise,” RSPCA Superintendent Jo Hirst said.
“We understand that people are so aghast they don't believe what they are seeing. But this photo is not AI – it’s real.”
Of the 250 dogs found during the rescue, for which a location was not given, the RSPCA took in 87, and the rest went to the Dogs Trust rehoming centre.
It comes as the animal welfare charity has seen a 70 per cent rise in multi-animal incidents involving 20 or more animals across England and Wales since 2021.
Last year, it responded to 4,200 incidents, which involved at least 10 animals found living at the same address across England and Wales.
The RSPCA said cases of large numbers of animals being kept at one address can be linked to mental health struggles, the cost of living crisis, or breeders operating with poor practices. It said they often begin with well-intentioned owners who lose control of a situation.
It added that a rise in cruelty and neglect cases has caused a six-year high of animals in its care, with almost half in emergency boarding because many of its centres are full to bursting point.
Ms Hirst urged people to consider adopting a pet in a bid to free up space in the RSPCA’s crowded centres and support the charity to respond to more multi-animal incidents.
"We urgently need to find suitable homes for countless animals in our care,” she said. “Adopting from one of our centres or branches can be so rewarding – and we’d urge anyone in a position to add a rescue pet to their family to check out our dedicated Find a Pet web pages."
