A former Crufts-winning breeder has been banned from keeping dogs for 10 years after 77 emaciated dogs were found at her home. Lynda Cooper’s home was raided in August 2024 by animal welfare officers after authorities received a complaint regarding the welfare of the dogs and suspected illegal breeding at her Pontypool home. Footage shared by charity Hope Rescue shows the squalor the “physically depleted” dogs were living in. The rehoming charity, which has been trying to find the dogs new families, said that six dogs had to be put down due to poor health. Cooper, who won six awards at Crufts in 2016, pleaded guilty to 11 animal welfare offences, including breeding dogs without a licence and causing unnecessary suffering to animals. The 74-year-old was given a 12-month suspended sentence and ordered to pay £10,000 in prosecution costs.

Lynda Cooper, whose gun dog won six awards at the world's largest dog show in 2016, admitted to 11 welfare offences at Cardiff Crown Court.

WARNING: DISTRESSING IMAGES - Former Crufts winner Lynda Cooper, 74, has been banned from keeping animals for 10 years after RSCPA inspectors made the grim discovery

Animal welfare officers said they were ‘horrified’ by the emaciated and infected dogs in Lynda Cooper’s care

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or…

A former Crufts-winning breeder has been banned from keeping dogs for 10 years after 77 emaciated dogs were found at her home. Lynda Cooper’s home was raided in August 2024 by…