Man kept 84 dogs and two cats in house 'covered in dirt and faeces, from floor to ceiling'

A man has been found guilty of neglecting 84 dogs and two cats who were found living in "filthy and squalid" conditions at a house in South Yorkshire.

The animals, mainly springer spaniel-type dogs, were rescued from the property in Tickhill, near Doncaster, on 18 April last year.

An RSPCA inspector said that the house was "covered in dirt and faeces, from floor to ceiling", with many of rooms difficult to access. The smell was so overpowering that an animal rescue officer said it made her eyes sting.

Children’s social worker David Parkes, 61, had denied owning or having responsibility for the animals, but was found guilty of three animal welfare offences following a two-day trial at Barnsley Magistrates' Court, which concluded on 29 September.

His wife Delphine Parkes, 60, and son Sam Parkes, 28, who also lived at the house, had both pleaded guilty to three animal welfare offences at an earlier hearing following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.

In written evidence, RSPCA Inspector Kristy Ludlam said: "The door into the kitchen was opened, and we were met with 20 to 25 springer spaniels, some huddled in the corners, others running around.

"The kitchen was covered in dirt and faeces, from floor to ceiling. The floor had at least 20 piles of faeces on it, which the dogs had distributed around the floor and over themselves. The dogs were cowering and huddling in a corner, or jumping on the kitchen sides near the window at the back of the room.

"They were very dirty, their fur covered in faeces, and many of their ears had lumps of dirt stuck to them, almost like dreadlocks."

RSPCA officers, accompanied by the police and the local authority, were involved in removing the animals.

A vet who examined 46 of the dogs said 14 of them were emaciated, and had been suffering for at least a month. Five had infected cuts on their ears, which were believed to have been caused by attempts to cut off matted fur with scissors.

Many of the dogs were also left without "sufficient resources for their basic needs, such as water, adequate food, beds or toys", one of the vets who examined the animals said in a written statement.

She said the animals had been kept in an "inadequate space", and had been living in "filth and squalor".

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Two adult springer spaniels, two 12-week-old springer spaniel puppies, two adult female Patterdale terriers and two Patterdale terrier pups were living in Mr and Mrs Parkes's bedroom.

Mrs Parkes told the inspector the situation had got out of control since Covid, and she knew they now had too many dogs.

Mr Parkes disputed ownership of the animals during the two-day hearing, claiming they were owned by his wife and son, the RSPCA said. However, the court was told that veterinary records showed all the animals were registered in his name.

Animal rescue officer Liz Braidley, said: "On entry into the property at the rear, the conditions were appalling.

"Every surface from the floor and up the walls was brown in colour; the smell of urine and faeces was overpowering - it made my eyes sting."

Following the rescue, most of the dogs were taken to private boarding facilities on behalf of the RSPCA. They were then rehabilitated and rehomed.

One spaniel "was sadly put to sleep to prevent further suffering due to health issues", the RSPCA said.

All three defendants will be sentenced on 9 December at Doncaster Magistrates' Court.

(c) Sky News 2026: Man kept 84 dogs and two cats in house 'covered in dirt and faeces, from floor to ceiling'