Crufts winner banned from owning dogs for a decade after dozens found starving in her squalid home

A former Crufts winner has been banned from owning dogs for a decade after 77 emaciated and seriously unwell dogs – including 20 puppies – were discovered living in squalor in her home.

Animal welfare teams were left “horrified” by the conditions inside Lynda Cooper’s Pontypool home after responding to a complaint over suspected illegal breeding in 2024. Pictures show the squalid state dozens of dogs were living in, with many “significantly underweight” and suffering from ear and dental infections.

She pleaded guilty to 11 animal welfare offences and breeding dogs without a licence, including causing unnecessary suffering and failing to meet the welfare needs of animals in her care at a hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on 19 June. Cooper was handed a 12-month suspended sentence, ordered to pay £10,000 in prosecution costs, and will not be allowed to own dogs for ten years.

The 74-year-old had won six awards at Crufts in 2016 with her Bracco Italiano gun dog. Speaking at the time, she reportedly said: “I love my gun dogs and do shows with them every weekend, there is no prize money involved and I do it purely for the joy of it. Crufts this year was a wonderful event and I will be doing it until I drop off.”

Animal welfare inspectors first visited her home in August 2024 after the Hope Rescue rehoming charity received a surrender request from Cooper, who handed over 23 dogs – three mothers and 20 puppies.

But officers were “immediately concerned” by the conditions they witnessed with the dogs living in filth, and became aware there were a number of other dogs living in the property.

They returned alongside Animal Licensing Wales (ALW) and Torfaen Council’s Licensing and Trading Standards teams and removed a further 54 dogs from the premises. Officers described their condition as “devastating” with dozens suffering from severe malnourishment, ear infections, and dental issues. Six of the older dogs were put down following the rescue due to the severity of their illnesses.

Sara Rosser, head of operations at Hope Rescue, said Cooper’s case was “one of the most challenging and distressing” the charity’s team had ever encountered.

“On arrival with us the dogs were in a devastating state – severely underweight, many suffering from advanced dental disease and chronic ear infections,” she said. “Older dogs had lost muscle mass and mobility, and were so physically depleted they were unable to reach food before the younger dogs. Many, especially the younger dogs, were very nervous and lacking in life experience so required additional support and rehabilitation.”

Daniel Morelli, head of public protection and environment at Torfaen Council, said Cooper’s actions had caused “significant and unnecessary suffering to a considerable number of animals”.

He added: “We will not hesitate to take action in cases where animal welfare is neglected, and we would like to thank our partner agencies and Hope Rescue for the important role they played in the investigation and the subsequent care and protection of the affected dogs and puppies.”

It comes after The Independent revealed 2026 Crufts Best in Show winner Lee Cox was previously found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a dog in his care.

Mr Cox was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to the dog, a black cocker spaniel named Adam, following a three-day trial at Sedgemoor Magistrates Court in Somerset in September 2001.

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