RSPCA apologises for Northamptonshire woman's online abuse after labeling her 'backyard breeder' in Facebook appeal

A Northamptonshire dog lover has shared the online abuse she received after the RSPCA indirectly labelled her a 'backyard breeder' in a Facebook post.

Gemma Mitchell said it was "heartwrenching" this summer when she had to sign over a litter of poorly puppies to the animal charity on the stern advice of her vet.

But in the days that followed, the charity used pictures of the pups in a Facebook appeal to "#StopBackyardBreeding" - which Gemma says led to her receiving a torrent of abuse online.

The appeal was also shared by the Chronicle & Echo in August this year.

Now, the RSPCA has apologised to Gemma for the distress their post caused and stated she only "acted in the best interest of the pups at the time".

Gemma told the Chron: "Some told me I deserved the death penalty. People said I deserved to be put in prison. People said they would find me.

"It was hard enough for me at the time to sign the puppies over.

"The information just wasn't correct."

In July this year, Gemma's beloved family dog Bueno had a litter of 10 puppies - but when mum developed mastitis, a condition that prevents an animal from nursing their children, Gemma had to feed the pups by hand with formula.

The pups developed well and were a healthy weight - until four weeks in when suddenly, and despite multiple rushed trips to the vets, three of the pups sadly passed away or had to be put to sleep.

The vet advised Gemma that since they did not know what was causing the puppies' ill health, the litter would have a better chance if she signed them over to the RSPCA where they could receive a better range of treatments.

Gemma said: "The vet said it was in their best interests. It was heart wrenching to sign them over but the only thing I cared about was making sure they got the right care."

However, in the following days, RSPCA Northamptonshire shared a post on their Facebook page appealing for donations to treat Bueno's puppies.

The post claimed the pups had had "a rough start to life" and that they had all tested positive for Parvo, a severe canine intestinal virus.

The Facebook post concluded with: #SayNoToBackyardBreeders

Despite not identifying her, Gemma says the post led to her receiving a slew of online abuse.

She said: "That's where the abuse started. It was hard enough for me to sign the puppies over - then people found and messaged me online.

"People kept saying I deserved to die or needed the death penalty.

"It was just constant abuse. I took myself off Facebook just to get away.

"It just wasn't the right information."

Gemma complained to the RSPCA for how post depicted her as an owner and the puppies' start to life.

Now, the RSPCA has formally apologised to Gemma.

In a Facebook update about the puppies' wellbeing, the charity wrote: "We're sorry for the distress caused to the original owner for the reporting on the pups, who acted in the best interest of the pups at the time."

The post also clarifies that they only tested one of the pups for Parvo before claiming they were all positive, stating that: "The other seven were not tested as testing can be expensive and funds were needed to ensure they received urgent supportive treatment."

A further letter to Gemma from Head of Operations Richard Burns read: "The issue arose when basic information only was passed onto the Facebook administrator by the animal welfare team. This led to an assumption in the information posted.

"I can only apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused you."

Today, the remaining seven puppies from Bueno's litter that were signed over to the RSPCA have been successfully fostered and are in good health.