Malnourished dogs locked in cages found during raid

Five French Bulldog puppies were found at the address without their mother, and with no access to food or water

Twelve malnourished dogs were found locked in small cages and in poor conditions.

An environmental health team discovered the dogs, who had no access to food or water, in a property in Cannock, following concerns over illegal dog breeding and animal welfare.

One of the dogs was unable to stand or freely move because his crate was so small, while five French Bulldog puppies were found without their mother.

Elana Steel, 28, of Wolverhampton, admitted animal curelty charges at Cannock Magistrates Court.

One of the dogs couldn’t turn or stand up freely in their tiny cage

Environmental health officers found squalid and cramped living conditions for the pups with old blankets covered in urine and faeces being used as bedding.

Steel, of Wood End Road, pleaded guilty to 12 counts of Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 - duty of person responsible for animal to ensure welfare - and one count of Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 - unnecessary suffering.

She is next due to court on 1 August for sentencing.

Staffordshire Police, a vet, an RSPCA officer, a locksmith, and a dog warden also took part in the raid.