Couple from Haarlem neglected 61 dogs: ‘They were literally in the shit’

The police and animal protection employees almost fell over their necks when they were killed on February 3, 2021 stepped inside the farm† A strong ammonia smell from old piss and shit took their breath away, the magistrate read from the file documents. The woman (56) and man (69) did not come to their hearing, they were convicted in absentia for animal cruelty.

It was not the first time the couple had been visited by the authorities. In December 2020, animal protection also found 25 dogs whose care was ‘substandard’. Then it remained with a conditional fine.

The man has no criminal record, but the woman appears to be a compulsive animal collector. In 2012, 99 dogs were taken from her. “I don’t see any ill will, but they shouldn’t keep animals anymore,” said the magistrate. Both are not allowed to bring animals into their homes for 5 years, she judges. If they do, they will still go to jail. The man for two months, the woman for four months.