A children’s social worker could be sent to prison after being convicted of keeping 80 springer spaniels in what the court heard were squalid conditions.
The dogs were found at a filthy property in Doncaster in April 2025. Since then, 79 have been rescued and placed in new homes.
Shocking images released after the discovery showed the spaniels covered in excrement and crammed onto a decaying staircase coated in dirt and grime.
Footage filmed inside the South Yorkshire house captured the emaciated animals barking and trembling as RSPCA officers and South Yorkshire Police arrived to remove them.
The property was so heavily soiled that the kitchen and other rooms were barely recognisable as parts of a home.
David Parkes, 61, appeared before Barnsley magistrates and denied owning the animals or being responsible for their care.
However, following a two-day trial, he was found guilty yesterday of three offences under animal welfare legislation.
His wife, Delphine Parkes, 60, and their son, Sam Parkes, 28, who both lived at the property, admitted similar offences in January.
Video filmed inside the South Yorkshire property shows the dogs barking and shaking as RSPCA officers and South Yorkshire Police arrive to rescue them
Images taken last year showed the springer spaniels covered in their own waste and packed together on a filthy, rotting staircase
The court heard that the rescue operation involved 80 springer spaniel-type dogs, two adult patterdale terriers, two patterdale terrier puppies and two cats.
Parkes, who has no previous convictions, told the court the dogs were mainly kept as “therapy animals” for his autistic son, Sam.
He said his demanding workload had prevented him from doing more to safeguard the animals, while accepting that they were family pets.
Parkes told the court: “Typically speaking, I worked all the way through the night… My commitment was to work. It should have been home that I prioritised.”
Delphine Parkes, who is registered disabled, told an inspector that the situation had “got out of control since Covid”.
Prosecutor Philip Brown said the house had been “heavily contaminated” by urine and faeces, adding that the family had been “completely out of its depth”.
He accused Parkes of “burying his head in the sand” and attempting to avoid responsibility because he feared losing his job.
All three defendants will be sentenced at Doncaster magistrates court on December 9.
One of the dogs sadly had to be put down, but the remaining animals have since been rehoused with families across the country.
Polly, one of the youngest dogs, has been adopted by Lisa Marchant in Hull, East Yorkshire.
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She said: ‘I would describe Polly as high on life, everything is wonderful to her.
‘She’s such a smart girl and is absolutely bonkers for a ball. She’s brilliant with my children, our cat, Joy, and everyone who meets her.’
Keira Kirkup, of Chester-le-Street, County Durham, had adopted Fifi.
She joked: ‘She still has anxious moments and isn’t keen on certain things, like saucepans being brought out of a cupboard.
‘She’ll also try and eat any bits of rubbish she sees lying on the floor.’
Joanna Baldwin, of Southport, Merseyside, has given a home to Darcy and said: ‘She’s come so far.
‘She’s so affectionate and a joy to be around.’
Parkes, who has no previous convictions, told the court that the dogs were primarily ‘therapy animals’ for his son Sam who has autism. He also admitted all 80 of the dogs were family pets
Seventy-nine of the 80 spaniels have since been rehomed. Pictured: Keira Kirkup who has adopted one of the dogs called Fifi
Pictured: Phoenix who has been adopted by Sally and Andy Taylor and their daughter Libby
Other pet pooches have been rehomed across Yorkshire, Greater Manchester and the Midlands.
Others include Sprite being adopted by Sue and Jason Kairies, in Lichfield, Staffordshire and Mac is now in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire living with a couple called Georgia and Ben.
Pepsi – a Patterdale terrier – also saved from the same house has been adopted by Harriet Lythell and her partner Marshall in Worksop, Nottinghamshire.
In September 2025, Our News Outlet reported that four of the dogs had begun an exciting new career working on Greater Manchester Police (GMP)’s tactical dog unit.
Bruce, Pablo, Lola and Nellie will now undertake training to become sniffer dogs helping the force during drug busts among other serious crimes.
Speaking about the new recruits, PC Wes Donnelly from GMP tactical dog unit said: ‘We’re giving them the best life possible.
‘These dogs have gone from being neglected to having a real purpose. Providing their training goes well they’ll soon be helping us detect drugs, cash and other items that support investigations.’
Greater Manchester Police have taken on the spaniels as a part of a major expansion of their tactical dog unit.
The unit now operates 24/7 and, according to the force, has overseen a dramatic rise in the number of arrests.
