53 Dogs Rescued From Worksop Garage In Illegal Breeder Raid — One Puppy Dies After Testing Positive For Parvovirus

Fifty-three dogs have been removed from a Worksop property after Nottinghamshire Police, Bassetlaw District Council and the Animal Welfare Investigations Project executed a search warrant last Friday. The dogs were found "crammed" into stacked cages in a garage. A 33-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of offences related to unlawful breeding and sale of puppies. At least one of the rescued puppies has since died after testing positive for canine parvovirus.

What happened

The raid followed what the Animal Welfare Investigations Project (AWIP) has described as an extensive investigation, prompted by reports from buyers who said puppies bought from the property had become seriously ill shortly after being taken home. AWIP, supported by Nottinghamshire Police and Bassetlaw District Council, executed the search warrant on Friday 8 May.

Inside the property, officers found 53 dogs — adults and puppies — held in what the agencies have described as "purpose-built" cages stacked on top of each other in the garage. Several adult dogs were found sharing single cages, and mothers with young pups were on bedding of wood shavings.

Among the dogs removed were a number of spaniels and one dog believed to be an XL Bully type. Police also seized several mobile phones and other items that may form part of the evidential record in any subsequent prosecution.

Arrest and welfare consequences

A 33-year-old man was arrested at the property on suspicion of offences linked to the unlawful breeding and sale of puppies. We are not naming him because he has been arrested on suspicion of offences but has not, on the public record, been charged.

All 53 dogs are now in the care of AWIP, with rescued animals being kept in isolation while their health is assessed. The most serious welfare concern reported so far is canine parvovirus — a highly contagious viral infection that is frequently fatal in unvaccinated puppies. At least one rescued puppy has had to be euthanised after testing positive.

Who is involved in the investigation

Three organisations are leading the response:

• Animal Welfare Investigations Project (AWIP) — an animal-welfare charity that builds investigative cases against illegal breeders and animal abusers, and works alongside police to bring prosecutions. Serena James from the AWIP Investigations Team and Jacob Lloyd, AWIP’s Chief Executive, are the named representatives on this case.
• Nottinghamshire Police — whose Bassetlaw North Neighbourhood Policing Team executed the warrant. PC Kerry Eames is the named officer.
• Bassetlaw District Council — in its statutory role overseeing animal-welfare licensing and dog-breeding regulation within the district.

What buying-public are being warned about

AWIP has reiterated the standard public-safety guidance on buying puppies in the wake of the raid: prospective owners are urged to adopt from a reputable rescue rather than buy from an unknown private seller, to visit the breeding premises in person if buying from a breeder, and to see the puppy with its mother before any money changes hands. Buyers who suspect a puppy has been illegally bred are urged to report concerns rather than complete the purchase — even an apparently healthy-looking puppy can be incubating parvovirus.

What we are not reporting and why

We are not naming the 33-year-old man because no charges have been laid on the public record. We are not reporting the exact address of the property because doing so would not serve any public interest and risks identifying people who live in the immediate area. We will return to this story when any charges are confirmed, when the prosecution reaches court, or when AWIP issues a public welfare update on the surviving dogs.

Sources: Animal Welfare Investigations Project (AWIP) media statement; Nottinghamshire Police; Talker News; aggregated reporting via West Bridgford Wire. Worksop Wire does not endorse any commercial dog-breeding outlet. If you have information about illegal dog breeding in Bassetlaw, you can report it to Bassetlaw District Council’s licensing team or to AWIP directly.