What was encountered at the property?

It was immediately apparent to Inspectors that the conditions in which the animals were being kept, in no way resembled the conditions portrayed by this rescue group on their social media profiles, or in their regular stories aired to media, incorporating pleas for donations.

As recently as the day before this seizure, a photograph of a Dalmatian named Barry was posted on Storybook Farm’s Facebook page looking cute, contented and clean, wearing a donated jumper. This poor dog’s real life could not have been further removed from that happy scene portrayed on Facebook. (SEE PICTURE BELOW).

The flesh on Barry’s back legs had worn through almost to exposed bone, the skin on his testicles had worn bare exposing raw flesh, and he had other wounds on his rear end also associated with dragging and immobility in his rear end. These wounds were being constantly soaked in urine as Barry had no control of his bladder. The ulceration of the wounds and urine scalding was severe.

Veterinarians were of the belief that Barry was experiencing significant pain and had been experiencing this pain every second of every day. His quality of life, prognosis, and an inability to keep him alive comfortably, meant that vets had no option but to humanely euthanase him. Experienced staff were reduced to tears.



Numerous other animals at the property had varying significant medical conditions, including open wounds, some from them chewing themselves, and others from pressure sores or from scraping their immobile bodies along the ground. Some animals had skin diseases and ear infections. All the animals smelled putrid, with an overwhelming stench of aged urine and faeces.



All of the dogs were living in faeces and urine. Disabled animals were lying, unable to move normally, living in filth and squalor, some even without water or bedding.



The smell was unbearable. The suffering of the animals was palpable. The entire scene was heartbreaking.



Our most experienced Inspectors on the scene today stated that the conditions at the property were horrendous. “Quite frankly, we were shocked to see that the person in charge of these animals continued to maintain the public façade that the animals were being rescued and well cared for, and that funding was being spent on their care. It’s hard to believe that is the case, when we see what we’ve seen here today.”



A senior RSPCA spokesperson said, “It’s unimaginable that someone could put their head on their pillow every night, knowing that every second of every minute of every hour of every day, those animals were suffering, unable to move freely, unable to escape, unable to relieve their pain and distress.”