UK: Ordeal of the 100 starving St. Bernards abandoned at a kennels

Europe: UK: Ordeal of the 100 starving St Bernards abandoned at a kennels
Ordeal of the 100 starving St Bernards abandoned at a kennels
By Sophie Borland
Last updated at 8:45 AM on 02nd December 2008

Up to 100 St Bernard dogs have been rescued after being abandoned without food and water at a kennels. Two were in such a bad condition they later died. The dogs, which include puppies and fully-grown adults, had been locked in their cages and left unfed for several days. Their bowls had been upturned and many of the animals were covered in their own excrement.

The kennels belonged to a well-known dog breeder, Mary-Ellen Collis. She has vanished and the police and RSPCA have been unable to trace her. RSPCA officers made the shocking discovery at the Wardana Kennels in Brigstock, Northamptonshire, on Saturday evening after a member of the public alerted police.

One animal was in such a poor state it had to be put to sleep while another died as it was receiving treatment. It is not known how long the dogs had been left but it could have been for up to a week.

A team of 12 RSPCA officers have spent the past three days removing the animals, but were unable to save two. The survivors have been placed temporarily at kennels in Nottingham and Peterborough where they are undergoing full health checks.

Once vets are satisfied they are in reasonable condition, new owners will be sought for most of them.

It is thought that four had been staying at the kennels while their owners were on holiday. The RSPCA has reunited two of the dogs with their owners and is still trying to get in touch with the remaining two.

Some of the St Bernard dogs found at the kennels. RSPCA officers were shocked at the conditions. Describing the scene at the kennels, RSPCA inspector Justin Stubbs said: 'There was faeces everywhere and upturned bowls. Something has gone wrong. 'Because they are such big dogs you wouldn't expect to see so many in such conditions. But it looks like we can do something with them.'

The Wardana Boarding Kennels and Cattery is well known among dog owners for its St Bernards. Mrs Collis, 50, was a founding member of the Kennel Club's Accredited Breeder Scheme which was set up in 2004 to encourage the breeding of healthy puppies. She is also a qualified veterinary nurse and animal groomer. The Kennel Club said last night it was 'disturbed' by the situation.

The RSPCA was alerted by a man whose dog was boarding at the kennels. He turned up unannounced and discovered the abandonned dogs

A spokesman said: 'The club is deeply concerned to hear about the alleged conditions that the dogs belonging to Mrs Collis have been found in and her apparent disappearance. As an Accredited Breeder, Mrs Collis's premises have been inspected by the Kennel Club and at that time there was nothing to give any cause for concern. 'The Kennel Club is disturbed to now hear about the alleged dramatic decline in her dogs' living conditions.'

The discovery comes a year after 100 abandoned horses were rescued from a smallholding in Buckinghamshire. Up to 32 were found dead at Spindles Farm in Hyde Heath.

Raided: The entrance to the kennels

© 2008 Associated Newspapers Ltd
Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1090951/Ordeal-100-starving-St-Bernards-abandoned-kennels.html
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The hunt is on for Brigstock kennel owner
Published Date:
02 December 2008
By Kate Cronin

The RSPCA has launched an urgent appeal to find the owner of the kennels where more than 100 dogs were found in squalid conditions, apparently abandoned. A major rescue operation was launched on Monday after the discovery of 98 St Bernards dogs and four other animals at Wardana Kennels in Brigstock. The RSPCA has started the search for the owner, Mary-Ellen Collis, whose whereabouts remain a mystery.

The charity is also appealing for donations to help feed the dogs who have been taken into their care. Two St Bernards died soon after they were found and the others are now in kennels near Peterborough and Nottinghamshire.

RSPCA regional superintendent for the east region Simon Parker said: "We are appealing for the owner to get in touch with us. "We are carrying out investigations and we have a number of inquiries to follow up, but we really need to interview them."

The St Bernards were found in their cages covered in excrement, with no food or water. The shocking discovery was made after dog owner David Nolan, from Kettering, raised the alarm when he rescued his own animal from the kennels.

The RSPCA confirmed a second owner, also believed to be from the Kettering area, had been reunited with their two pets after reading about the kennels in the Evening Telegraph. Mr Parker added: "We are grateful to members of the public who have contacted us and who would like to adopt one of the dogs. "However, we would ask them not to contact us with those offers at the moment." He added that dozens of people had also contacted the charity with financial offers to assist in the upkeep of the animals.

A special postal address has now been set up for anyone who would like to send in donations to the RSPCA towards the upkeep of the dogs.
To send a donation, post it to: RSPCA Regional Headquarters, PO Box 60, Peterborough, PE1 5SZ.

©2008 Johnston Press Digital Publishing
Source: http://www.northantset.co.uk/news/The-hunt-is-on-for.4754434.jp
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Arrests in St Bernards investigation
Published Date: 03 December 2008

A man and a woman have been arrested in connection with an RSPCA investigation into the discovery of 98 St Bernard dogs that appeared to have been abandoned at a kennels. A 50-year-old woman was taken into custody by police who arrested her in Brigstock this morning. A 57-year-old man was also arrested in Thrapston at the same time. Police officers carried out the arrests on behalf of the RSPCA.

Dog owner David Nolan broke into the Wardana kennels in Stanion Road, Brigstock, on Friday evening after becoming concerned about the safety of his beloved pet because he could not contact the owner.

There he found 98 St Bernard's and four other dogs locked in their kennels and covered in excrement. One was already dead and a second later died on the operating table.

On their arrest, the man and woman were taken to Corby Police Station in Elizabeth Street and interviewed. The woman was released yesterday evening and the man was still in custody last night.

An RSPCA spokesman said last night: "We have interviewed a man and a woman in connection with the discovery of the dogs. "The arrest was carried out by Northamptonshire Police. "We are no longer looking for the people we were searching for earlier this week but we do have more interviews to carry out in connection with the case." "The dogs concerned are recovering and are all being well looked-after."

A police spokesman said: "We carried out the arrests on behalf of the RSPCA. The 50-year-old woman has been given police bail until January."

©2008 Johnston Press Digital Publishing
Source: http://www.northantset.co.uk/news/Kennel-owner-arrested--police.4759179.jp