Salvation for pup bought as ‘toy’ in 17-occupant Sheffield house

A Sheffield pup bought to ‘entertain’ a house with 17 people living in it has been given a new home.

The 12 week-old pup now called Ella was discovered on 13 October by South Yorkshire Police’s dog legislation team at a property in Pitsmoor following concerns for her welfare. 

PC Paul Jameson said: “We removed Ella from the property she was living in as she was not being cared for in a responsible way. She had been bought as a ‘toy’ and was not being respected as a dog, including being given space and room for herself.

“It’s important to note that we do not remove good, safe animals from responsible families.

“We also do not destroy safe, manageable dogs. Our team are here to reduce risk, fatalities and injury.”

Ella was bought as a ‘toy’ to ‘entertain’ children in a house with 17 occupants

Ella had originally been bought to ‘entertain the children’ in the overcrowded two-bedroom property.

On average five incidents per day are recorded for dogs causing fear, harm or injury to people or other animals, with the dog legislation team seizing at least two of those dogs until further checks have been carried out.

PC Jameson said: “During the process of removing Ella, we explained to the family that changes would need to be made and the likelihood was that they wouldn’t receive Ella back until she was much older. They didn’t want her back at an older age so signed her over to be rehomed.”

Ella now lives in the countryside with another dog.