Doncaster social worker found guilty of keeping dogs in squalor

A children’s social worker who kept 84 dogs in “squalid conditions” at the home he shared with his family has been found guilty of failing to ensure their welfare.

David Parkes had denied animal welfare offences, claiming his wife, Delphine, and son, Sam, were primarily responsible for the dogs’ care due to his heavy workload.

However, the 61-year-old was found guilty following a two-day trial at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court.

Delphine Parkes, 60, and Sam Parkes, 28, pleaded guilty to the same offences at a hearing earlier this year. All three will be sentenced on 9 December.

Magistrates were told that 80 Springer Spaniel-type dogs, two adult Patterdale Terriers, two Patterdale Terrier pups and two cats were found at the family home at Galley Hill Farm Cottage, in Tickhill, in April last year.

The court heard the RSPCA had been alerted to the conditions the animals were living in after a member of the public submitted a welfare report when they saw a dog injure itself after jumping over a garden wall.

Asked why there were so many animals at the house, Parkes replied: “Ultimately, the dogs were left to breed by themselves.”

Delphine Parkes, who is registered disabled, admitted to an inspector that “things had got out of control since Covid”.

Sam Parkes, who has autism, “primarily used dogs in his care as a therapy animal”, his father told the court.

Asked why he deemed his son capable of looking after the animals, Parkes said: “He had dogs very early on when he was young and he had got the skills available to do that. The additional support from Delphine would have been sufficient.”