The RSPCA has released disturbing footage from a raid on a filthy property in South Yorkshire where 86 animals were kept in appalling conditions. The video shows walls covered in grime and numerous creatures crammed into every room.
Family convicted of animal welfare offences
The footage was made public following the court appearance of social worker David Parkes, 61, his wife Delphine Parkes, 50, and their son Sam Parkes, 28, at Barnsley Magistrates' Court. David Parkes was found guilty of three animal welfare offences following a trial, while Delphine and Sam had already admitted to three offences each.
The family will face sentencing at Doncaster Crown Court on December 9. RSPCA officers, alongside police and local council representatives, attended the property on Galley Hill, Tickhill, South Yorkshire, on April 18, 2025, discovering 84 dogs – comprising Spaniels and Patterdale Terriers – plus two cats.
Animals removed and rehomed
All the creatures were removed and transported to RSPCA facilities throughout northern England. Five spaniels were taken to Hull, with Hull Live subsequently reporting on the positive outcomes for two of the dogs. Cloud was rehomed by West Hull couple Morgan Bulman and Luke Shepherd, while Polly was taken in by RSPCA staff member Lisa Marchant. Morgan stated she believes Cloud to be the dog visible at the foot of the stairs in the footage.
The filthy spaniels can be seen lined up along the staircase, with the walls behind them smeared in mud. Officers then proceeded to the kitchen, where appliances were similarly coated in mud and faeces. All 84 dogs and two cats were removed from the property and rehomed, though many had matted fur, coats stained yellow with urine, and had never been walked on a lead.
Officer describes appalling conditions
Giving evidence in court, an RSPCA officer described the harrowing conditions they encountered inside the home. Animal rescue officer Liz Braidley said: "On entry into the property at the rear the conditions were appalling. The first room was a small area to the rear of the garage. Every surface from the floor and up the walls was brown in colour, the smell of urine and faeces was overpowering it made my eyes sting."
"We then went through a door to the left which led into the kitchen. There were numerous Spaniel type dogs, all filthy with stained yellow coats. Every part of the floor, walls, and surfaces was caked in a brown residue. The dogs all ran to the other side of the room appearing very scared and timid. The smell in this room was unbearable, it was difficult to talk or breathe properly and I was unable to stay in there for extended periods of time."
Two adult Springer Spaniels, two 12-week-old Springer Spaniel puppies, two adult female Patterdale Terriers and two Patterdale Terrier pups were discovered living in the Parkes' bedroom. All of the animals were removed from the property, though sadly one of the Spaniels had to be put down owing to pre-existing health issues.
Five of the Spaniels were transferred to the RSPCA branch on Clough Road, where every one of them has since found a new home. An RSPCA spokesperson acknowledged that the charity "wouldn't have been able to have rehomed all the dogs without our branches".
