A children's social worker, David Parkes, has been found guilty of three animal welfare offences following the discovery of 80 springer spaniels kept in horrific conditions in a Doncaster house in April 2025. The case drew significant media attention due to photographs showing dogs covered in filth, emaciated and crowded together on rotting staircases, highlighting serious failures in animal care despite the defendant's professional role working with vulnerable children.

The court heard that Parkes, his wife Delphine and son Sam—who lived in the heavily contaminated property—kept the dogs in conditions saturated with urine and faeces. Parkes claimed the animals were therapy pets for his autistic son and blamed his demanding job as a children's social worker for his inability to address the deteriorating situation, whilst his wife attributed the crisis to circumstances worsening since the Covid pandemic. Of the 86 animals rescued, 79 of the 80 dogs have since been successfully rehomed across the country, with one requiring euthanasia. His wife and son admitted similar charges in January, and all three defendants face sentencing on 9 December at Doncaster magistrates court.