Moment 77 starving dogs rescued from Crufts winning breeder’s house of horrors

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A former Crufts champion has avoided jail after nearly a hundred caged dogs were found living in destitution at her home.

Lynda Cooper has been banned from owning dogs for a decade after 77 emaciated dogs, including 20 puppies, were found some close-to-death.

The 74-year-old had won six awards at Crufts in 2016 with her Bracco Italiano gun dog but just a decade later her Pontypool home was being raided by animal welfare officers.

Shocking images show the squalid conditions the ‘significantly underweight’ animals were surviving in. Many were suffering from ear and dental infections.

Ribs are showing on many of the animals as others shiver in cages, in the black, unhealthy conditions.

Pictured here is Lynda Cooper A shamed Crufts winner has had a 10-year ban from keeping animals after 77 dogs were found suffering from shocking neglect. Lynda Cooper, 74, fell from grace after she proudly showed off her gun dog winning six awards at the world's largest dog show in 2016. But RSPCA inspectors found animals living in squalor - suffering from under-feeding and with disease and infection. Five dogs had to be put down and another two died within weeks of being rehomed. She admitted to 11 welfare offences - which included causing unnecessary suffering to animals and failing to meet the dogs' welfare needs - as well as breeding dogs without a licence. More than 40 dogs as well as two litters of puppies were found at her home in Pontypool, South Wales, with footage showing the animals living in disgusting conditions. The puppies were found to be suffering from malnutrition after they were rescued, with some of the dogs having severe dental disease and ear infections. Torfaen County Borough Council had been made aware of the conditions of the dogs in July 2024 following a complaint, with the RSPCA also notified of concerns over illegal breeding. RSPCA officers tried to visit the property but were denied entry. A month later, council authorities and a vet were then able to access the property after obtaining a warrant where they found the dogs living in the appalling conditions. The animals were removed from Cooper's home, given medical care and rehomed once the council gave permission for authorities to take possession of the dogs. After pleading guilty to animal welfare offences on June 19, Ms Cooper received a 12-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years, was told to pay ??10,000 towards council costs - not including a ??187 victim surcharge - and was disqualified from keeping dogs for 10 years. Cooper's defence told Cardiff Crown Court that she had 'spiralled' after a bereavement, with the maltreatment 'done, not out of deliberate or malicious intent, but out of neglect'. They added that the situation had become 'out of hand' but 'otherwise she had been a loving and good pet owner'. But Recorder Greg Bull KC said: "Your breeding without a licence took place over a period of two years - breaking every rule in the book.". He sentenced Cooper to 12 months, suspended for two years, and ordered her to complete a mental health treatment requirement. She must also pay ??10,000 in costs within 12 months and has been banned from keeping dogs for 10 years. Daniel Morelli, Torfaen council's head of public protection and environment, said: "We will not hesitate to take action in cases where animal welfare is neglected, and we would like to thank our partner agencies and Hope Rescue for the important role they played in the investigation and the subsequent care and protection of the affected do Hope Rescue's head of operations Sara Rosser said this is one of the most 'distressing' and 'challenging' cases they've had to work on 'not only from the sheer number of dogs but also their condition'. She said: 'On arrival with us the dogs were in a devastating state - severely underweight, many suffering from advanced dental disease and chronic ear infections. Ms Cooper's defence counsel told a court that she had 'spiralled' after a bereavement, with the maltreatment 'done, not out of deliberate or malicious intent, but out of neglect' 'Older dogs had lost muscle mass and mobility, and were so physically depleted they were unable to reach food before the younger dogs. Many, especially the younger dogs, were very nervous and lacking in life experience so required additional support and rehabilitation.' Cooper's nine-month-old Bracco Italiano gun dog, Carlos, won six awards at Crufts 10 years ago - this included the reserve dog challenge certificate and best puppy and junior dog. Cooper said at the time: 'I have been going for six to seven years and have always won something. Last year I had two firsts, it began as a hobby but like anything you put effort in I have become a ribbon chaser. 'I love my gun dogs and do shows with them every weekend, there is no prize money involved and I do it purely for the joy of it. Crufts this year was a wonderful event and I will be doing it until I drop off.' Hope Rescue, which helped care for many of the dogs, described the case as one of the most distressing its team had encountered. Head of operations Sara Rosser said many of the animals arrived severely underweight, suffering from chronic infections and advanced dental problems, while older dogs had experienced significant muscle loss and mobility issues. Talking about the case, Hope Rescue posted an image inside the house to social media. They said: ???77 Dogs. Devastating Conditions. A case that will stay with our team forever ???Last Friday, Lynda Cooper was convicted of 11 animal welfare offences and illegal dog breeding at Cardiff Crown Court ??? and sentenced to a suspended custodial sentence, a 10-year ban from keeping dogs, and ordered to pay ??10,000 in costs. ???Behind that headline is a story that began almost two years ago, and one that will stay with our team for a long time. ???In August 2024, we took in 23 dogs from a property in Pontypool ??? three emaciated mothers and twenty puppies. What we saw that day raised serious concerns, and after passing everything to the relevant authorities, we were soon back at the property supporting Aanimal Licensing Wales in the removal of 54 further dogs. ???What followed was one of the most challenging cases our experienced team has ever seen. "The dogs were in a devastating state ??? severely underweight, many with advanced dental disease, chronic ear infections, and significant muscle wastage. "Six of the older dogs, despite everything our team, vets, physiotherapists and foster carers could do, were too unwell to be given a comfortable life, and were put to sleep in the months that followed." But this case has also given us so much to celebrate. Dogs who arrived broken and afraid are now living the lives they always deserved. Over the coming weeks, we???ll be sharing some of their stories.??? WALES NEWS SERVICE — 77 emaciated and seriously unwell dogs – including 20 puppies were found at Lynda Cooper the former Crufts winner’s home(Picture: Hope Rescue)

Volunteers from animal charity Hope Rescue were the first on the scene after making the discovery in 2024.

Cooper surrendered 23 dogs at first but officers were concerned at the unhealthy nature of the home.

They returned alongside Animal Licensing Wales (ALW) and Torfaen Council’s Licensing and Trading Standards teams and rescued a further 54 dogs from the squalor.

Sara Rosser, head of operations at Hope Rescue, said Cooper’s case was ‘one of the most challenging and distressing’ they had ever encountered.

Pictured here are the conditions dogs were found in A shamed Crufts winner has had a 10-year ban from keeping animals after 77 dogs were found suffering from shocking neglect. Lynda Cooper, 74, fell from grace after she proudly showed off her gun dog winning six awards at the world's largest dog show in 2016. But RSPCA inspectors found animals living in squalor - suffering from under-feeding and with disease and infection. Five dogs had to be put down and another two died within weeks of being rehomed. She admitted to 11 welfare offences - which included causing unnecessary suffering to animals and failing to meet the dogs' welfare needs - as well as breeding dogs without a licence. More than 40 dogs as well as two litters of puppies were found at her home in Pontypool, South Wales, with footage showing the animals living in disgusting conditions. The puppies were found to be suffering from malnutrition after they were rescued, with some of the dogs having severe dental disease and ear infections. Torfaen County Borough Council had been made aware of the conditions of the dogs in July 2024 following a complaint, with the RSPCA also notified of concerns over illegal breeding. RSPCA officers tried to visit the property but were denied entry. A month later, council authorities and a vet were then able to access the property after obtaining a warrant where they found the dogs living in the appalling conditions. The animals were removed from Cooper's home, given medical care and rehomed once the council gave permission for authorities to take possession of the dogs. After pleading guilty to animal welfare offences on June 19, Ms Cooper received a 12-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years, was told to pay ??10,000 towards council costs - not including a ??187 victim surcharge - and was disqualified from keeping dogs for 10 years. Cooper's defence told Cardiff Crown Court that she had 'spiralled' after a bereavement, with the maltreatment 'done, not out of deliberate or malicious intent, but out of neglect'. They added that the situation had become 'out of hand' but 'otherwise she had been a loving and good pet owner'. But Recorder Greg Bull KC said: "Your breeding without a licence took place over a period of two years - breaking every rule in the book.". He sentenced Cooper to 12 months, suspended for two years, and ordered her to complete a mental health treatment requirement. She must also pay ??10,000 in costs within 12 months and has been banned from keeping dogs for 10 years. Daniel Morelli, Torfaen council's head of public protection and environment, said: "We will not hesitate to take action in cases where animal welfare is neglected, and we would like to thank our partner agencies and Hope Rescue for the important role they played in the investigation and the subsequent care and protection of the affected do Hope Rescue's head of operations Sara Rosser said this is one of the most 'distressing' and 'challenging' cases they've had to work on 'not only from the sheer number of dogs but also their condition'. She said: 'On arrival with us the dogs were in a devastating state - severely underweight, many suffering from advanced dental disease and chronic ear infections. Ms Cooper's defence counsel told a court that she had 'spiralled' after a bereavement, with the maltreatment 'done, not out of deliberate or malicious intent, but out of neglect' 'Older dogs had lost muscle mass and mobility, and were so physically depleted they were unable to reach food before the younger dogs. Many, especially the younger dogs, were very nervous and lacking in life experience so required additional support and rehabilitation.' Cooper's nine-month-old Bracco Italiano gun dog, Carlos, won six awards at Crufts 10 years ago - this included the reserve dog challenge certificate and best puppy and junior dog. Cooper said at the time: 'I have been going for six to seven years and have always won something. Last year I had two firsts, it began as a hobby but like anything you put effort in I have become a ribbon chaser. 'I love my gun dogs and do shows with them every weekend, there is no prize money involved and I do it purely for the joy of it. Crufts this year was a wonderful event and I will be doing it until I drop off.' Hope Rescue, which helped care for many of the dogs, described the case as one of the most distressing its team had encountered. Head of operations Sara Rosser said many of the animals arrived severely underweight, suffering from chronic infections and advanced dental problems, while older dogs had experienced significant muscle loss and mobility issues. Talking about the case, Hope Rescue posted an image inside the house to social media. They said: ???77 Dogs. Devastating Conditions. A case that will stay with our team forever ???Last Friday, Lynda Cooper was convicted of 11 animal welfare offences and illegal dog breeding at Cardiff Crown Court ??? and sentenced to a suspended custodial sentence, a 10-year ban from keeping dogs, and ordered to pay ??10,000 in costs. ???Behind that headline is a story that began almost two years ago, and one that will stay with our team for a long time. ???In August 2024, we took in 23 dogs from a property in Pontypool ??? three emaciated mothers and twenty puppies. What we saw that day raised serious concerns, and after passing everything to the relevant authorities, we were soon back at the property supporting Aanimal Licensing Wales in the removal of 54 further dogs. ???What followed was one of the most challenging cases our experienced team has ever seen. "The dogs were in a devastating state ??? severely underweight, many with advanced dental disease, chronic ear infections, and significant muscle wastage. "Six of the older dogs, despite everything our team, vets, physiotherapists and foster carers could do, were too unwell to be given a comfortable life, and were put to sleep in the months that followed." But this case has also given us so much to celebrate. Dogs who arrived broken and afraid are now living the lives they always deserved. Over the coming weeks, we???ll be sharing some of their stories.??? WALES NEWS SERVICE — The disgusting conditions the dogs were found in (Picture: Hope Rescue)

‘On arrival with us the dogs were in a devastating state – severely underweight, many suffering from advanced dental disease and chronic ear infections.

‘Older dogs had lost muscle mass and mobility, and were so physically depleted they were unable to reach food before the younger dogs. Many, especially the younger dogs, were very nervous and lacking in life experience so required additional support and rehabilitation.’

Two dogs were found in disturbing conditions (Picture: Hope Rescue)

Cooper pleaded guilty to 11 animal welfare offences and breeding dogs without a licence, including causing unnecessary suffering and failing to meet the welfare needs of animals in her care at a hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on 19 June.

Cooper was handed a 12-month suspended sentence, ordered to pay £10,000 in prosecution costs, and will not be allowed to own dogs for ten years.

To donate to Hope Rescue click here.

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