More than 100 dogs found in van as daughter faces animal abuse charges

A German woman accused of aggravated animal welfare offences appeared before the North Karelia District Court on Tuesday, after more than 100 dogs were found in poor condition in a van in Nurmes on New Year’s Eve 2024, Yle reported.

One dog was dead, and around half of the animals had to be euthanised. They had been transported at least 85 kilometres in a cramped rental van.

Prosecutors say the offences took place between 2020 and 2024 in Nurmes and Lieksa, where the woman and her mother kept dogs at several addresses. The mother is also accused of smuggling and both women face aggravated animal welfare charges. The court heard only the daughter’s case because authorities have been unable to locate her mother and serve her with a summons.

The prosecutor is seeking about two years in prison and a permanent ban on keeping animals for the daughter. She admits committing an aggravated animal welfare offence but disputes parts of the prosecution’s account. Her defence says some of the animals were her mother’s responsibility and argues the daughter should be held liable only for events from late 2024. It is seeking a suspended sentence of several months and an animal-keeping ban of no more than three years.

The daughter told the court that she had worked as a dog and horse trainer in Germany and said it was common for her to have 30 to 50 dogs there. She said health problems and difficulties controlling the dogs’ breeding contributed to the situation. She estimated that about 50 of the dogs found in the van belonged to her and said her mother bred dogs for sale, while she did not.

Prosecutors say the women also neglected the care of other animals, including horses. According to the police’s preliminary investigation, the case did not involve puppy farming and the offences were not committed for financial gain.