Why does this article make it sound like the owners of this awful situation won't face consequences?

[Teamilkcoffee]

This really upset me. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gxkdeyk7ko

But so did the tone of the article when it talked about the owners: "The RSPCA said it was unable to share additional information about the owners' circumstances, but added they had reached out because they were "overwhelmed". It said it would not have been appropriate to take forward a prosecution due to the circumstances and "extremely vulnerable nature" of the owners."

I would love someone, who might have a better understanding of these sorts of situations, to explain to me how there can be no prosecution? This situation did not happen over night - it didn't "just" overwhelm the owners.

I don’t think any were put down so someone has been feeding 250 days a day! Extenuating circumstances probably mean someone is very unwell. With an eight week pregnancy cycle and litters of around eight it doesn't take long to make huge groups with unrestricted breeding if you start with a group. It’s probably someone who stopped managing which is why they asked for help - the situation is resolved and kindly. The publicity might help others ask too so more rescues get carried out.

I think the reason is clear @Teamilkcoffee -

The RSPCA were proactively called by the person who felt unable to cope.

If the RSCPA then went to prosecute them, then it would completely discourage anyone else from coming forward in similar circumstances.

Well, it wasn't clear to me, hence asking.

But actually, that makes sense.

That's also true - none put down.

It still looks incredibly sad for those dogs - and it does say that some were so frightened, they had to be carried out

The fighting that would have been going on must have put them in a permanent state of fight or flight perhaps?

These seem like all littermates (litter after litter etc) so even more fights.

They look like poodle crosses, too. :-( they are sensitive little souls

I do think it’s better that people feel able to ask for help. I do wonder what “punishment” you would feel is adequate and what you’d hope to achieve?

As a society we want to prevent this happening again so support for their mental
health rather than punitive measures seems better to me.

This is true, and I agree.

But I don't think they should be allowed to breed again.

Allowing dogs to inbreed once is irresponsible. Allowing it to happen multiple times is totally negligent of them. They should have asked for help from the start. Not keep adding to their circumstances which were way beyond what 2 people could manage.