Crufts winner banned from owning dogs after 77 pets discovered in vile conditions

Warning: This article contains details of animal cruelty which some readers may find distressing

A former Crufts prize-winner has been banned from owning dogs for 10 years after 77 dogs were found living in appalling conditions.

Lynda Cooper previously won six awards at Crufts with one of her gun dogs back in 2016, but she has since admitted to 11 welfare offences after the local council and RSPCA found more than 40 dogs and two litters of puppies living in horrific conditions at her home.

She admitted causing unnecessary suffering to animals at Cardiff Crown Court, as well as breeding dogs without a licence, in a case one rescue charity called the most 'distressing' and 'challenging' they have ever seen.

The traumatised animals were found at her home in Lower Race in Pontypool, South Wales, where she had been breeding Bracco Italianos and pointers.

Distressing footage was recorded of the dogs living in their own filth in a state of squalor. They were malnourished and many were found to have severe dental disease and ear infections.

Tragically, five of the dogs had to be put to sleep as they were suffering so much and were in such poor condition. Two more died a few months later, according to UK Animal Cruelty Files and the Daily Mail, with extensive rehabilitation being needed for many of the survivors.

'The dogs were in a devastating state'

Rescue charity Hope Rescue has been working to re-home the remaining dogs.

Hope Rescue's head of operations, Sara Rosser, said of the discovery of the dogs: "On arrival with us the dogs were in a devastating state - severely underweight, many suffering from advanced dental disease and chronic ear infections."

Cooper's ban on owning dogs came after Torfaen County Borough Council was made aware of the neglect in July 2024, and after the RSPCA expressed concerns about illegal breeding.

It was reported that she had a license to breed dogs back in 2023, but did not renew it.

RSPCA officers were denied entrance to the property, so the council obtained a warrant, and the RSPCA, a council officer and a vet were able to witness the appalling state the dogs were in.

Cooper pleaded guilty to animal welfare offences on June 19.

Lynda Cooper's sentence and punishment for animal cruelty

She was given a 12-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years, and was told to pay £10,000 towards council costs. In addition, she has been banned from keeping dogs for 10 years.

The sentence came after Ms Cooper's defence counsel reportedly told Cardiff Crown Court that the cruelty came after a period of grief.

They claimed she had 'spiralled' after a bereavement, and insisted the state of the dogs was 'done, not out of deliberate or malicious intent, but out of neglect'.

Her defence insisted she had 'otherwise she had been a loving and good pet owner' until this.

After her Crufts win a decade ago, FreePressSeries quoted Cooper as saying: "I have been going for six to seven years and have always won something. Last year, I had two first. 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."

'Animals are not products to be bred, sold, and put on show'

Animal welfare organisation PETA has hit out at the cruelty and the breeding, with a spokesperson saying: "Pedigree dogs, like those shown at Crufts, are paraded at the show like prized possessions, but behind the scenes they and their offspring are used and abused then discarded when they’re no longer profitable.

"Animals are someone, not something, not products to be bred, sold, and put on show."

According to Wales Trading Standards, Daniel Morelli, Head of Public Protection and Environment, said: “This case highlights the value of the dog breeding licensing regime and the important, and often unseen, work of local authority Public Protection services in protecting animal health and welfare.

“Miss Cooper failed to meet the standards required by law, resulting in significant and unnecessary suffering to a considerable number of animals.

“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 dogs and puppies.”

Crufts' response to Cooper's treatment of her dogs

In a statement to LADbible, a spokesperson for Crufts said: "Crufts is organised and governed by the Royal Kennel Club. Participation in Crufts does not imply any ongoing relationship, oversight or endorsement of exhibitors or breeders beyond the event itself.

“The matters reported relate to the actions of an individual and the findings of the relevant enforcement authorities. Responsibility for investigation, prosecution and licensing decisions rests entirely with the appropriate statutory bodies.

"Criminal proceedings must take precedence over any Royal Kennel Club disciplinary enquiry, and we are therefore required to await the conclusion of all criminal proceedings, including any appeals, before taking any steps. This is necessary to ensure the criminal justice process is not prejudiced.

“The Royal Kennel Club takes all animal welfare concerns extremely seriously. We will always consider relevant criminal convictions under our disciplinary processes and, where appropriate, impose disciplinary sanctions which would include disqualifications from licensed events including Crufts.

“We recognise the strength of public feeling around this issue. Animal welfare remains at the heart of everything we do, and we are currently reviewing our governance and exhibitor policies to ensure they continue to reflect the high standards expected across the dog community.

"We remain committed to strengthening safeguards wherever appropriate and to promoting responsible dog ownership and breeding through our regulations, education and health initiatives."

If you see an animal in distress and/or in need of help, contact the RSPCA's national animal cruelty line on 0300 1234 999 from 8am to 5pm seven days a week, or visit their website for further advice.