Fresh start for dog rescued from 'unimaginable' puppy farm - and her new arrivals

A dog rescued from a Welsh puppy farm has given birth to a litter of seven - but two were taken into urgent care.

The five-year-old Shih Tzu had her litter last week, and according to Hope Rescue Centre, it wasn’t an easy birth.

Two of Leia’s puppies were born weak and immediately rushed to the vet, but sadly one didn’t survive.

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Rescuers told Team Dogs that Leia struggled during the birth due to her time at the puppy farm. However, mum and the rest of the puppies are now doing well.

They added that, when she first arrived, her coat was so badly matted she couldn't see. Her fur had also been sprayed with a yellow puppy marker as if she were livestock.

The stain can still be seen on her fur weeks later.

Before she was rescued, the poor dog was forced to live in cramped and dirty conditions at the puppy farm.

Sharing the news on their Facebook page, Hope Rescue said: “She was found (on the farm) towards the back of the property living with several other dogs.

"The conditions were very cramped and dirty. Leia’s coat was matted to the point she could barely see. You can still see the mark the puppy farmer put on her too as if she was livestock.

"Leia was heavily pregnant and last week gave birth to 7 puppies. She struggled to give birth due to being so overweight.

"During delivery, she was unable to keep the bedding area clean and dry for the puppies so the staff had to intervene to stop the puppies from becoming cold.

"Two of the smaller pups were very weak and were rushed to the vets. Both were placed in oxygen tanks with round the clock care but sadly only one of the two survived.

"He has now been reintroduced back to the rest of the family with supplementary feeds from the staff.

"If Leia hadn't been rescued she would have given birth in unimaginable conditions and it's highly unlikely many of the pups would have survived.

“It's very telling that many of those Mums that came in with their litters only had a couple of puppies each - we dread to think how many could have simply died.

“With over 200 dogs on site it is impossible to care for this many dogs and their offspring, and this is why we want to see a maximum cap on the number of dogs in breeding establishments.

“Controlling numbers through staff: dog ratios is open to abuse and a cap is the only way to ensure each individual dog gets the care and attention they need.”

Leia and her puppies will stay in the care of Hope Rescue so they can get the veterinary help they need before being adopted.

Hope Rescue has an online wish list with items to go towards the care of Leia, her puppies and other dogs rescued from terrible conditions

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