A man has pleaded not guilty to owning more than 80 dogs found living in severe neglect at his home in Doncaster. David Parkes, 61, appeared at Barnsley Magistrates' Court on Monday, denying three counts of animal welfare offenses. His case follows a police and RSPCA rescue operation at Galley Hill Farm Cottage in Tickhill in April 2025, during which officers described the conditions as the worst they had encountered in their careers.
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The rescue occurred between April 17 and 18, 2025, resulting in the retrieval of 80 Springer Spaniel-type dogs, along with two adult Patterdale Terriers, two Patterdale Terrier pups, and two cats. Initially, the RSPCA reported 84 animals, but later determined the total was 86. Parkes' wife, Delphine, 60, and their son, Sam, 28, pleaded guilty to similar charges earlier this year.
The prosecutor, Philip Brown, revealed that RSPCA inspectors first visited the property on April 5, 2025, but were unable to reach the family despite leaving a notice. After a subsequent visit on April 15, where no contact was made again, an emergency warrant was issued, leading police to forcibly enter the premises. Officers discovered a vast number of animals inside the home, surrounded by filthy conditions. One officer reportedly felt ill and had to leave the property.
Veterinary examinations later revealed the animals were in dire health, with many heavily matted, underweight, and kept in inadequate and unsanitary conditions. One dog suffered a severe leg fracture while five others had infected wounds; these injuries were described as readily apparent to any reasonable owner.
While Parkes assisted with the removal of the animals and signed a document transferring them to the RSPCA, he claimed not to be responsible for their ownership, asserting that he had received notice from the charity but chose not to respond. He was also shown to have knowledge of the dogs' names, feeding routines, and medical histories.
The prosecution contends that Parkes had significant responsibility for the animals. The trial is ongoing.