LONDON — U.K.based shelter Battersea Dog and Cats Home has launched a new photography campaign this month that aims to highlight the abuse female dogs suffer at the hands of excessive breeding.
With some help from local photographer Andrew Mc Gibbon, the organization has created beautiful portraits of their rescued dogs, along with a piece about each of the mothers’ experiences with backyard breeding.
With the sad exception of Barbara, all of the dogs involved in the project have since found loving forever homes and can now start their journey learning to trust humans again.

Polly: After being forced into having puppies for the first two years of her life, Polly the Shar-Pei was finally left abandoned in a park, before being rescued by Battersea Dogs Home.
- Polly: After being forced into having puppies for the first two years of her life, Polly the Shar-Pei was finally left abandoned in a park, before being rescued by Battersea Dogs Home.
- Barbara: This gorgeous girl showed all the signs of excessive overbreeding, and the Battersea team were heartbroken to have to put her down for legal reasons shortly after they had rescued her.
- Marjorie: This beautiful Bulldog was found abandoned in London having been forced into motherhood for years before being dumped. A skin infection had gone untreated, leaving her in constant pain until Battersea gave her the urgent medical care she needed.
- Pippa: Excessive inbreeding meant that this adorable four-year-old King Charles Cavalier Spaniel looks beautiful, but had so many ailments that her owners couldn’t afford to keep her.
- Boo: This loving Staffie was abandoned on the Shelter’s doorstep when her owner was finally done overbreeding her. She was in a terrible state, with a skin infection and fleas, which the shelter immediately took care of.
References
1 Bow Wow Times
My sweet angel dog, Tawny, a laberdoodle, who is 6 years old, is a former breeder who had 4 liters and I rescued her from her former home and after having her for only 4 mths she now has mammary cancer due to the excessive breeding. We are currently treating with Chemotherapy which has caused her to loose her hair. It is so very sad but I am happy I can take care of her and give her the beautiful life she so deserves now.
Could someone explain to me why a dog would be put down for “legal reasons?”