48 Bulldogs Found in One Apartment: Shocking Secrets Behind a Puppy Mill Operation
A Secret Puppy Factory with 48 Dogs in One Apartment: Hidden Horrors Behind the
Felix Sonco and Darlys Vanegas were detained at the scene during an investigation led by the San Juan de Miraflores Criminal Prosecutor's Office after authorities dismantled a clandestine animal breeding operation. The incident occurred on September 28 in an apartment on Jirón Santiago Rodríguez street, where a group of 48 canines was discovered, most of them French and English bulldogs. This discovery sparked outrage in the community, which believes such facilities, known as puppy mills, must be eliminated to prevent animal suffering.
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After the intervention, the animals were transported to the Municipal Veterinary Clinic in San Juan de Miraflores for examination and treatment. Most suffered from heat stress, and many had excessively overgrown nails, some even bleeding, skin problems, fungal infections, eye conditions, surgical scars, and other conditions requiring medical attention. Six puppies required incubator care, two of whom were described as being in a particularly fragile state. Some of the animals were later placed in the care of temporary foster families.
But the breeding conditions were not the only troubling aspect. It appears this location functioned not only as a breeding farm but also as an illegal and improvised veterinary clinic. Evidence indicates that some of the dogs had undergone vocal cord surgery, a brutal procedure known as debarking. Because the animals were kept in crowded and filthy spaces, constant barking and whining caused discomfort. Debarking was used to reduce noise levels and avoid neighbor complaints, not to improve living conditions or provide real comfort, but to eliminate their ability to express pain.
After the intervention, the animals were transported
Investigations also revealed repeated breeding practices of female dogs, some forced to carry up to ten litters of puppies. Veterinary examinations showed that crude and premature cesarean sections had been performed to extract puppies faster for the market, while the mothers, if they survived, were re-bred. Investigators found premature newborn puppies in a non-sterilized incubator. The puppies were sold for a price ranging from 1,500 to 2,500 Peruvian soles each, equivalent to approximately 400–670 US dollars.
French and English bulldogs are brachycephalic breeds. Their short skulls and flat faces are part of their appeal, but they hide an uncomfortable reality. The same anatomy that many find irresistible can make breathing, physical exercise, sleep, body temperature regulation, and in some cases, birth more difficult. We must stop pretending these problems are just „part of being a bulldog.”They are not.
A dog with breathing difficulties is not just a snorer. A dog that overheats easily is not just „heat-sensitive.”These are real medical problems. Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) refers to conditions affecting short-skull breeds, known as brachycephaly. These conditions include hypoplastic trachea (narrow windpipe), stenotic nostrils (narrow nostrils), and an overly long and large tongue and soft palate for the mouth, leading to airway obstruction and difficulty swallowing. These issues have led many veterinary professionals and animal rights advocates to question the ethics of breeding these dogs. When a physical trait can affect basic functions like breathing and temperature regulation, the choice of dogs to breed must consider more than just appearance.
The flat little face, big eyes, sturdy small body, and amusing antics are seen by many as cute, even adorable. But as a veterinarian, I see a whole list of problems that need monitoring. A bulldog can be a wonderful companion and yet have an anatomy that puts it at risk for serious health problems.