David Parkes, a children's social worker, was found guilty of failing to ensure the welfare of 84 animals kept at his family home in Tickhill. Magistrates heard the property was 'heavily contaminated' and that vets found five dogs critically underweight and others injured. Parkes blamed long work hours and family circumstances, while his wife and son had already pleaded guilty. Sentencing is scheduled for 9 December.
Children's Social Worker Found Guilty After 84 Dogs Discovered in 'Squalid' Home
Police and RSPCA officers rescued the animals from Galley Hill Farm Cottage in Tickhill in April 2025 [South Yorkshire Police]
A children's social worker, 61-year-old David Parkes, has been found guilty of failing to ensure the welfare of 84 animals kept at the family home in Tickhill.
Parkes denied the offences at a two-day trial at Barnsley Magistrates' Court, arguing that his wife, Delphine, and son, Sam, were primarily responsible for the animals because his heavy workload left him little time for home duties. Delphine, 60, and Sam, 28, had previously pleaded guilty to the same offences. All three will be sentenced on 9 December.
Conditions at the Property
When RSPCA officers attended Galley Hill Farm Cottage in April last year, they found 80 Springer Spaniel–type dogs, two adult Patterdale Terriers, two Patterdale pups and two cats living at the address. The RSPCA was alerted after a member of the public reported seeing a dog injure itself after jumping a garden wall.
Parkes, right, was supported in court by his wife and son [BBC]
Prosecutor Philip Brown described the house as 'heavily contaminated' with urine and faeces, and said garlic was being used in an attempt to control fleas and other parasites.
Veterinary checks found five dogs to be 'critically underweight' and others injured during attempts to demat severely matted coats. The prosecution said the family had been 'completely out of its depth'.
Defence and Court Findings
Parkes told the court he worked up to 80 hours a week supporting vulnerable children, including cases involving county-lines gangs and sexual abuse, and that he had recently been dealing with an 'extremely traumatising' case involving the death of a baby and a dog. He also told magistrates that his father had died in March 2025 and that his wife is registered disabled while his son has autism and used dogs as a form of therapy. Parkes admitted the home could have been better cared for but said he had 'no capacity' to help with day-to-day animal care.
Magistrates concluded there was sufficient evidence to hold Parkes responsible, citing veterinary records that listed him as the registered owner of the animals at the family address. Lynne Fairbridge, who chaired the hearing, warned that 'all options', including custody, would be considered at sentencing.
Aftermath
The RSPCA said it had rehomed all but one of the animals recovered from the property. The family will learn their sentences on 9 December.
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