Clandestine breeding farm in France dismantled: 823 animals rescued from extreme conditions

©zana pq via Unsplash

A large-scale operation led to the discovery of a clandestine breeding farm in the Var region of southern France, where hundreds of animals were living in conditions deemed incompatible with their needs. The operation, led by the Gendarmerie with the support of the Direction Départementale de la Protection des Populations and the SPA, resulted in the safekeeping of 823 animals, including dogs, rabbits and birds.

The operation was launched at dawn in a wooded area of Flassans-sur-Issole, a few kilometers from Brignoles, following numerous reports from vets, buyers and associations. Suspicions centered on the sale of puppies with behavioral problems, a detail that prompted investigators to take a closer look at the alleged breeding operation.

Puppies sold online and extreme hygiene conditions

According to initial findings, the core of the business was based on online sales via the Le Bon Coin website, with a particular focus on Border Collies, a highly prized breed. The animals were kept in overcrowded and undernourished conditions, in structures described as unsanitary, full of excrement and lacking both natural light and ventilation.

During the operation, the authorities discovered 237 dogs, 268 rabbits, 267 pigeons, 5 goats, 2 pigs, 9 guinea fowl, 12 hens and 19 parakeets. The high quantity of animals required complex logistics to secure them and distribute them to various animal protection associations throughout France.

Investigation into concealed profits and possible criminal offences

The checks also uncovered undeclared financial flows of over 200,000 euros between 2020 and 2026, fuelled by the sale of the animals. This supports the hypothesis of a structured, long-term business, despite the absence of any official authorization. The investigation opened by the public prosecutor's office concerns the illegal exercise of a regulated activity, animal abandonment and serious mistreatment. The couple under suspicion, who have been given a free hearing, could now be subject to legal proceedings.

For the associations involved, this is one of the most important operations of recent years. The rescue of more than eight hundred animals required close coordination between law enforcement, veterinary services and reception facilities, revealing the scale of a clandestine activity that had remained hidden for years in the heart of the forest's vegetation and silence.

Source : LA SPA

(©GreenMe.it 2026/Managing editor : Selma Keshkire - The Press Junction/Picture : zana pq via Unsplash)