Moment dog and 35 puppies found in dilapidated caravan in Sussex living in squalor

• A dog and 35 puppies were found in the dilapidated caravan in Eastbourne. Credit: Sussex Police

Police have revealed footage showing the moment a dog and 35 puppies were found in a dilapidated caravan in Sussex living in squalor.

Officers from Sussex Police were alerted to the vehicle on an industrial estate in Lister Road, Eastbourne, on 26 July 2021 by a member of the public who was concerned for the animals’ welfare.

After forcing entry to the caravan, police officers and RSPCA inspectors found a mix of Labradors, Dachshunds and French Bulldogs living in a state of squalor.

Investigating officer, PC Marie Jenner, of the Sussex Police Rural Crime Team, said: “The whole floor was covered in faeces and urine soaked cardboard.

"There were exposed wires, nails and screws, and broken pieces of wood and tools throughout. The conditions were completely uninhabitable.

"The dogs were retrieved from the caravan and placed in makeshift pens where we provided them with bowls of water. They were drinking uncontrollably, which gave an indication of their desperation to rehydrate.

"A vet arrived on scene and explained that the dogs were suffering – and would continue to suffer if left in these conditions – and therefore they were seized under the Animal Welfare Act."

The puppies were assessed by the RSPCA and 14 of them were then admitted to hospital.

One of the puppies, a Dachshund, died. Its cause of death was starvation and dehydration.

Checks were conducted which showed the registered owner of the caravan was Micaela Anderson-Letts, 35, of The Rowans, Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex.

She was arrested and charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, contrary to section (4)(1) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Anderson-Letts pleaded guilty to the offence at an earlier hearing and was given a two year suspended prison sentence at Kingston Crown Court today (Tuesday 7 January).

She has also been disqualified from owning and keeping animals and will also need to do 300 hours of unpaid work.

PC Jenner added: “This has been an ongoing complex case by the Sussex Police Rural Crime Team, working with partnership agencies, local authorities and other police forces.

“It transpired that Anderson-Letts had previously been issued an animal banning order and showed complete disregard to the judicial system by continuing to involve herself with puppies.

"After lots of hard work and dedication over the past three years, I am happy that this case has finally come to a conclusion.

“I would like to thank all staff and officers involved, the RSPCA inspectors, vets, and vital witnesses who supported this investigation along with members of the public who assisted in the rescue of these innocent puppies.

"After the appropriate veterinary treatment and care the dogs were re-homed to loving families.”

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