A children’s social worker could face jail time after he was found guilty of keeping 80 springer spaniels in ‘squalid conditions’.

Seventy-nine of the dogs have now been rehoused since they were discovered in a filthy home in Doncaster in April 2025.

Disgusting pictures from last year showed the springer spaniels covered in their own filth, crowded together on a rotting staircase thick with dirt and grime.

A video from inside the South Yorkshire house shows the emaciated dogs barking and shaking as members of the RSPCA and South Yorkshire Police arrive to rescue them.

The home is so filthy and caked in muck that the kitchen and other areas of the property are barely recognisable as a home. 

Appearing in Barnsley magistrates court, David Parkes, 61, denied owning or having responsibility for the animals.

But yesterday he was found guilty of three animal welfare offences following a two-day trial.

His wife Delphine Parkes, 60, and son Sam Parkes, 28, who lived in the same house, admitted similar charges in January. 

Disgusting pictures from last year showed the springer spaniels covered in their own filth, crowded together on a rotting staircase thick with dirt and grime

A video from inside the South Yorkshire house shows the emaciated dogs barking and shaking as members of the RSPCA and South Yorkshire Police arrive to rescue them

Seventy-nine of the 80 spaniels have since been rehomed. Pictured: Keira Kirkup who has adopted one of the dogs called Fifi

The court heard that 80 springer spaniel-type dogs, two adult patterdale terriers, two patterdale terrier pups and two cats were rescued from the house last year.

Parkes, who has no previous convictions, told the court that the dogs were primarily ‘therapy animals’ for his son Sam who has autism.

He blamed his heavy workload on his failure to do more to protect the animals, which he admitted were family pets.

Parkes said: ‘Typically speaking, I worked all the way through the night… My commitment was to work. It should have been home that I prioritised.’

While Delphine, who is registered disabled, admitted to an inspector that ‘things had got out of control since Covid’.

Philip Brown, prosecuting, told the court that the home was ‘heavily contaminated’ with urine and faeces and that the family was ‘completely out of its depth’.

He accused Parkes of ‘burying his head in the sand’ over the problem and seeking to distance himself from accountability through fear of losing his job.  

All three defendants will be sentenced on December 9 at Doncaster magistrates court.

While sadly one of the dogs had to be put down, all the other pets have since been rehoused across the country.

One of the youngest dogs – called Polly – has been taken in by Lisa Marchant, of Hull, in East Yorkshire.

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.’

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, the Daily Mail 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.