BBCDogs who were rescued from a woman now disqualified from owning and keeping animals are bringing joy in their new homes and “loving life”, according to their owners.
Micaela Anderson-Letts, 35, of Sunbury, Surrey, avoided jail on 6 January when she was sentenced for abandoning a dog and 35 puppies in a dilapidated caravan, but was handed a two-year suspended prison sentence.
Labradors, dachshunds and French bulldogs were found living in a “state of squalor” on an industrial estate in Lister Road, Eastbourne, in July 2021. At the same hearing, she was sentenced for importing numerous puppies from abroad and selling them without a licence.
The caravan where the puppies were found had faeces and urine-soaked cardboard on the floor, as well as exposed wires, nails, screws and broken pieces of wood, Sussex Police said.
Two of the dogs rescued from the caravan, dachshund Pepper and labrador Eddie, still see each other.
Ellen Ashwood, from Westfield, rescued Pepper, and said for the first year of having her she was more susceptible to getting an upset tummy and was “in and out of being unwell”.
Now Pepper, whose sibling died shortly after being discovered, is “loving life” and “enjoying every minute”, Ms Ashwood said.
She is given “as much mental stimulation as possible” and tries out new things.
“She’s been swimming, not that she enjoyed that particularly,” Ms Ashwood told BBC South East.
Adam Levy, from Whitstable, adopted Pudding, also brought in to the country by Anderson-Letts.
Like Pepper and Eddie, she had several health problems when he first took her in, and he has spent thousands of pounds on vets’ bills.
Pudding can still be worried by new people and new places, he added.
Mr Levy, head of operations south east at the Dogs Trust, said smuggled dogs, often not introduced to the outside world as puppies, can have behavioural issues.
“When people are buying these dogs from abroad they need to be aware of what they’re taking on,” he added.
Rhys Bowles, who now owns Eddie in Hastings, said the puppy came to him with salmonella, joint issues, ringworm and his fur falling off.
He was told at the time that Eddie was in the “bottom tier” regarding his chances of survival.
But, he added: “He’s here so he made it, and he’s doing great now.
“But at the time it was touch and go, life and death.”
Mr Bowles said: “You couldn’t ask for a more friendly dog. He loves everyone.”
Now four-and-a-half, Mr Levy said Pudding is “a completely different dog” from when she first arrived, despite still having lapses with her health.
“She has brought us so much joy,” he added.
His message for those buying a new puppy is to do their research and “if they suspect something, walk away”.
