The inspection confiscated hundreds of neglected guinea pigs from a breeder in the municipality of Westerveld on Tuesday. The animals had no food or drinking water, and many were injured.
The National Animal Welfare Inspection Service (LID) confiscated more than four hundred guinea pigs. In addition to guinea pigs, the inspection also found several neglected and injured dogs, chickens, and birds.
The guinea pigs were kept in dirty cages with many close together. They had no suitable food or drinking water. Many were sick, had bite wounds, or were partially paralyzed. The inspection also found some dead guinea pigs. The animals have been placed at a shelter where they are being cared for, the service writes.
The rodents were found at the home of an eighty-year-old woman who has been breeding guinea pigs for some time. In 2022, the LID found more than 650 guinea pigs, many of which were poorly cared for or housed.
After a conversation, the woman promised to stop. A year later, a check revealed that the woman had indeed stopped breeding. Now it appears that the woman has started breeding and trading guinea pigs again. The public prosecutor has determined that the woman may not keep guinea pigs for at least a year. The LID checks that ban every quarter. In the event of a violation, the woman risks a prison sentence.
Animal police and NVWA can act sooner thanks to new law
Since January 2023, a new law applies that stipulates that animals no longer have to adapt to their housing. This means that housing must offer space for natural animal behavior.
Thanks to this law, the animal police and the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) can act sooner, and owners can be banned sooner. On the basis of that law, the NVWA closed a company of a breeder in Eersel, who kept dozens of neglected animals.