Dog charity issues appeal after 34 poodles seized
Poodle Network UKA charity is appealing for help after it began caring for 34 poodles which were seized from a property in Epsom Downs.
Julie Aldcroft, from Poodle Network UK, said some of the dogs were now in foster homes as part of their rehabilitation.
Reigate and Banstead Borough Council and Surrey Police removed the dogs from a property in a suburban road with semi-detached houses two weeks ago.
A 70-year-old woman and a 65-year-old man from Epsom Downs were arrested on suspicion of breaching a Community Behaviour Order and animal neglect, and were later bailed.
The Poodle Network UK said: "We are working incredibly hard to get these dogs back to health and helping them receive the care, attention, and love they deserve.
"We are so grateful to everyone who has donated so far. The change it makes to the dogs, to be able to rehabilitate them and get them back to health is not an easy feat."
'Welfare of animals'
Meanwhile, a neighbour has told BBC Radio Surrey of her relief that the dogs have been removed.
The woman, Suzanne, said that "the barking and the smell got worse and worse" and there had been "an increasing number of dogs in the property over the last two or three years".
She said she was "nearly in tears" as she enjoyed a quiet moment in her garden following the removal of the dogs two weeks ago.
The council said it had secured a court order in February "in response to complaints of persistent noise issues from barking dogs at the property".
"The police were able to use their more extensive powers of entry to take action" on 21 May, a spokesperson added.
Surrey Police Insp Lindsey Whatley said officers "take reports of orders having been breached very seriously".
"We are committed to working closely with our council partners, and to using our shared powers to safeguard the welfare of animals," she added.
The council said its investigation was ongoing.
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