A dog breeding business operated from Tyson Fury’s property is under renewed scrutiny over claims that animals are being kept there in worrying conditions, Web can reveal.
Animal welfare officials are investigating the store after witnesses reported a number of dogs escaped into the street from the Lancaster home owned by boxing champ Fury.
It was reported that a passer-by taking the animals back to safety in the garden reported filthy conditions and heard “howling” from a stable block behind the house.
The latest investigation into the dog breeders at the home – bought by Fury three years ago for £250,000 – comes just six months after a businesswoman living at the home, Emily Sutcliffe, 26, had her breeding license revoked following a raid by council officials and police who found the dogs and found puppies in the dark block of stables without food, water and light.
Animal welfare officials are investigating a dog breeding business after witnesses reported a number of dogs escaped into the street from the Lancaster home owned by boxing champ Tyson Fury (pictured above). There is no indication that the 6ft 9in boxer is involved in the deal
The latest investigation comes just six months after a live-in businesswoman, Emily Sutcliffe, 26, (above) had her breeding license revoked following a raid by council officials and police
In last week’s incident at Mr Fury’s property, members of the public say they lifted the dogs back over the fence to relative safety and tried to barricade the fence as best they could, according to a report by local website Donkeyjunk .com
Witnesses said at least 12 dogs were wandering around a dirty yard, covered in feces and showing severe signs of ill-care.
Dogs “in distress” could be heard howling from a “smelly” shed at the end of the garden.
A witness told activists on an animal welfare website: “The condition of the place was terrible. The smell, the dogs were so happy to see people but they were covered in their own waste. No water, no food, their beds were full of rubbish. Terrible that this is allowed to happen.’
Another said: “You’re always on the run. All they want is food and love, but they can’t get any of that there.”
Some witnesses gave their contact details to a canine attendant who was in attendance and were promised a call back, but at the time of writing the local website report said they were still waiting.
One woman wrote on Facebook: “The wardens already knew. I have given them so much evidence that she is still dealing in puppies despite a previous ban but they didn’t bother. Lancaster City Council confirmed today that last week’s incident at the property is now under investigation.
A spokesman told Web today in a statement: “Lancaster City Council Dog Wardens and Animal Licensing Assistants joined police in responding to a report last week that a number of dogs had escaped from a site on the Coastal Road and were posing a danger for motorists also for themselves.
“The owner of the dogs was made aware of the incident and returned home as soon as she was informed.
“In accordance with our normal investigative procedure, officers visited the home premises earlier this week to follow the incident with the resident and witnesses stopping to assist in retrieving the animals.
“These investigations are ongoing, so we are unable to provide any further details at this time.”
Land register records show that Tyson Fury Ltd became the owner of the property at 80 Coastal Road, Hest Bank, in November 2019, paying £247,000 for the semi-detached house and land behind it.
Pictured: A sickly looking puppy from Red Rose Kennels who later died
Fury, who lives near Morecambe, was photographed promoting another of Ms Sutcliffe’s businesses, a pet shop and dog grooming shop in Lancaster called Petsrus
Two-time world heavyweight champion Fury, 34, owns the property at Hest Bank, Lancaster, through his company Tyson Fury Ltd, of which he is the sole director and shareholder and has a net worth of £52million, according to Companies House.
There’s no indication that 6ft 9in boxer Fury, known as Gypsy King, is involved in the dog breeding business operating on his property, and it’s unclear if he’s aware of the animal welfare concerns is aware.
According to Companies House records, both Sutcliffe and her business partner Jack Reay – whose breeding license was also revoked last year following a related raid – are directors of Pets R Us & Fertility Clinic, Morecambe Ltd.
But Fury, who lives near Morecambe, Lancs, was photographed promoting another of Ms Sutcliffe’s businesses, a pet shop and dog grooming shop in Lancaster called Petsrus.
In the photo, Fury is holding his Rottweiler, which he is said to have bought as a guard dog last summer, and reportedly paid up to £20,000 for the animal.
In other photos on Jack Reay’s Facebook page, he can be seen socializing with Fury in a group of men.
Lancaster City Council dog guards were called by police to the semi-detached house at 80 Coastal Road, Hest Bank, after a member of the public raised a tip about the welfare of 25 dogs at the home of Mr Fury, where Sutcliffe ran his business, in June 2022 led.
A total of 16 adult dogs and 9 puppies were found in dingy stables last summer, many of them covered in their own excrement.
Officials said in a report to local councils that the dogs had been left unattended “for a considerable amount of time”. According to the council’s report last June, “there was an imminent threat to the welfare of many dogs”.
According to the report, the dogs in one of the two stable blocks had “no light, no water, no food and very dirty bedding”.
In the second were puppies, with “no mother, no water, no food” and also dirty bedding.
The report said it was clear no one had been on the premises for at least four hours and when Sutcliffe – who was believed to be out of the country – was contacted by telephone, he said that the dogs should be looked after by someone else .
According to Companies House records, both Sutcliffe and her business partner Jack Reay (pictured above) – whose breeding license was also revoked last year following a related raid – are directors of Pets R Us & Fertility Clinic, Morecambe Ltd
A damning report laid bare the failures that saw 16 adult dogs and 9 puppies found in dingy stables last summer, many covered in their own excrement. When contacted by phone, Sutcliffe (above), who was believed to be out of the country, said the dogs should be looked after by someone else
Officials found 11 “easily identifiable” violations of animal license terms and recommended that her license be revoked immediately.
The report added: “You [Sutcliffe] has been informed that she will be asked to attend a formal interview under caution and this will be her opportunity to answer specific questions and explain what happened.’
The raid on Hest Bank’s property was coupled with another visit to the Red Rose Kennels kennel in nearby Overton, run by Sutcliffe’s business partner Jack Reay, 29.
According to the report following the Red Rose raid, one of the puppies suffered from overheating and later died.
The report states: “Following a veterinary examination, one puppy was found to have an infected umbilical hernia that required veterinary attention. One puppy was hyperthermic and later died.
“Two breeding bitches had vaginal infections. One breeding bitch was found to be underweight. All the dogs were dirty, with dry feces and a foul odor.’
However, following the raids on Reay and Sutcliffe’s premises, most of the dogs were returned to them.
A spokesman for Lancaster City Council said at the time: “In response to concerns raised by a member of the public, earlier this month the Council’s Animal Licensing Service visited two sites, one in Overton and another in Hest Bank, and based on the circumstances at the same time action was taken taken to remove a number of adult dogs and puppies to ensure their welfare.
“Some of the dogs were taken in for a veterinary check before being taken to a local kennel to allow time for an examination to be carried out.
“According to the findings at the time, both operators had their dog breeding license revoked. There is a right of appeal against the revocation.
“The Council has held discussions with the owners of the dogs and examined the legal options available to ensure the future welfare of the dogs. Working with the owners and after being satisfied that the on-site facilities are now suitable, it was agreed to return the majority of the dogs.
“The council’s animal licensing team will continue to monitor the condition and welfare of the dogs through unannounced visits and have requested confirmation of intentions for the animals’ housing and long-term care.”
Web contacted Mr Fury’s agent for comment. Emily Sutcliffe was unavailable.