Home / Crime and Justice / Puppy Farm's Cruelty Continues Despite Exposé
Puppy Farm's Cruelty Continues Despite Exposé
16 Feb
Summary
- Nine-week-old Daisy died within 24 hours of purchase.
- The puppy farm, operating as Lakeview Pets, profits nearly half a million euro.
- Despite past exposé, the operation expanded and received planning permission.
A Co. Cavan-based puppy farm, previously exposed for alleged horrific cruelty, continues to operate and generate substantial profits. Now known as Lakeview Pets, the business is registered to breed 300 bitches and is listed as a 'Registered Breeder' by the Department of Agriculture. Despite past breaches of planning and animal welfare legislation, and facing improvement notices, the operators were later permitted to expand by Cavan County Council.
Recent concerns resurfaced after a nine-week-old Cavapoo puppy, named Daisy, died within 24 hours of being bought from the facility. A vet's report indicated incomplete vaccinations and worming, diagnosing 'fading puppy syndrome.' The operator offered a refund and a contribution to vet fees, denying any negligence.
The operation, which previously traded as Five Star Paws, was the subject of a BBC Panorama exposé a decade ago, which documented severe animal welfare issues. Despite public outcry and demands for closure, the farm continued mass breeding of popular 'designer' mixed breeds, charging up to €650 per puppy.
Despite being served with improvement notices for issues like non-microchipped dogs and inadequate record-keeping, the business received planning permission for retention and conversion of buildings for dog breeding in 2017. Regulatory oversight and enforcement of animal welfare laws in Ireland are noted as challenges, with laws in place but enforcement being less consistent.
