January 9, 2020 4.47 pm This story is over 50 months old

Dead dog found during raid of animal sanctuary near Boston

Another dog was put to sleep

Tamara Lloyd speaks before a previous raid on her property in 2019. | Photo: Channel 5

The RSPCA has confirmed that one dog was found dead at the scene and another was put to sleep by the owner’s vet after a raid at an animal sanctuary near Boston.

As previously reported, RSPCA officers and police carried out a warrant at Tamara Lloyd’s Alternative Sanctuary in New York in Boston during the morning of January 8, as a result of concerns for the welfare of the animals.

Eleven dogs, 10 terrapins, seven cats, two horses and two pigs were seized and are now in the care of the RSPCA, and will remain so while enquiries continue.

A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: “RSPCA officers accompanied Lincolnshire Police, with assistance from specialist vets and equine handlers, as a warrant was executed at a site near Boston, Lincolnshire on Wednesday, January 8.

“11 dogs, 10 terrapins, seven cats, two horses and two pigs were taken into possession and are now in the care of the RSPCA. These animals will be cared for by the RSPCA while enquiries continue.

“One dog was found dead at the scene and another was put to sleep by the owner’s vet on their advice.”

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

Owner Tamara Lloyd previously claimed to Lincolnshire Reporter that the RSPCA are due to go back on Monday, January 13, with very few animals now left on site except the wild ponies whose owner is collecting them in the near future. She also added that a court date is pending on January 20.

Tamara has been looking after rescue animals, who she claims nobody else will take in as they have problems, for over 40 years and the sanctuary has been a registered charity since 2005.

She said around 20 officers were at the site from Wednesday morning and claimed she was told if she didn’t co-operate she would have been arrested.

She is “absolutely flabbergastered” by what has happened, saying she feels the animals are not safe at the moment, and once the court case and the situation has settled she plans to leave the country.

A spokesperson for Lincolnshire Police said: “We are in attendance at a property in New York near Boston today, Wednesday, January 8, where a warrant has been executed on behalf of the RSPCA due to concerns for animal welfare. We will be supporting the RSPCA with their ongoing enquiries.”

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

It was the second raid on the site in eight months after the sanctuary, which was previously said to be home to over 400 animals, was first raided on May 16 last year after concerns for the animals.

More than 80 animals were seized by welfare inspectors and police, including dogs, cats, pigs and horses, who were placed into the care of the RSPCA while investigations continued. The raid also reportedly uncovered two dead cats and half a cremated dog.

Authorities then returned on May 23 for a follow-up visit to see if improvements had been made following the original raid.

Footage was previously made public showing the chaotic home and outdoor pens overrun by animals, as well as a picture of dwindling finances and fears for the future. Before the raid Tamara spoke on a Channel 5 documentary called ‘The Woman With 106 Dogs’, which aired on June 16 last year.

She told the cameras at the time that the sanctuary faced criticism, but people kept bringing dogs and she finds it hard to say no.