June 17, 2019 3.13 pm This story is over 63 months old

See conditions of raided animal sanctuary

The owner let cameras inside her property shortly before it was raided
Tamara Lloyd speaks before a previous raid on her property in 2019. | Photo: Channel 5

A woman who shared her home with around 400 animals was filmed for a TV documentary shortly before it was raided.

Footage now made public showed the chaotic home and outdoor pens overrun by animals, as well as a picture of dwindling finances and fears for the future.

Tamara Lloyd’s Alternative Animal Sanctuary near Boston was raided on Thursday, May 16 by the RSPCA and police.

Before the raid she spoke on a Channel 5 documentary called ‘The Woman With 106 Dogs’ which aired on June 16.

As the camera operator walks through the property, the viewer could see ripped out cushions and broken furniture as well as lots of mud and plenty of barking dogs.

She was raided by police and RSPCA. Photo: Channel 5

“My house isn’t mine as such,” said Tamara in what was left of her kitchen. “The dogs dictate how things are in the house and there’s damage at times but it’s what happens.”

She tells the cameras that the sanctuary faces criticism, but people keep bringing dogs and she finds it hard to say no.

By the end of the documentary, Tamara is sharing her home with 62 dogs, and another 46 which live in outbuildings.

Overall, her property was home to over 400 animals including cats, dogs and horses.

Tamara shares her bed with the dogs. Photo: Channel 5

Tamara continued: “As far as I’m aware nobody else in this country has this many dogs all living together.

“I certainly don’t want people to think that the dogs aren’t doing well out of it and I don’t want people looking down at how terrible the house looks.

“If they do bring mud in or leave a mess in the house then it’s not the end of the world. There are more important things to be worrying about.”

Towards the end of the programme Tamara starts to think about her troubled future. She said: “I certainly don’t want to be raided and find all of the animals in terrible situation.

“It’s sad but it could become a very stressful and complicated decision. I don’t think this is perfect but I don’t think that any of them are suffering.”

More than 80 animals were seized by welfare inspectors and police from the sanctuary in May, including dogs, cats, pigs and horses.

The animals were placed into the care of the RSPCA while investigations continued.