MICAELA ANDERSON-LETTS SUNBURY-ON-THAMES PUPPY FARM CRUELTY REVEALED

In a disturbing case that has shocked animal welfare advocates, Micaela Anderson-Letts, also known as Micaela Von Cydzik, a woman born in May 1989 and residing at The Rowans in Sunbury-on-Thames TW16 7QG, was found guilty of multiple offences related to animal cruelty and illegal puppy trading. The case came to light after police rescued a group of dogs from a dilapidated caravan in Eastbourne, East Sussex, in July 2021, where they were left in appalling conditions without food or water.

Officers from Sussex Police responded to reports from concerned members of the public who had noticed a large number of dogs confined in a caravan exposed to direct sunlight, with the windows tightly shut. Upon arrival, the police discovered the interior of the caravan to be a scene of utter neglect. The floor was covered in faeces and urine-soaked cardboard, and the environment was littered with exposed wires, nails, screws, broken wood, and various tools, rendering the space uninhabitable for any living creature.

Inside, the police found a variety of dogs, including labradors, dachshunds, and French bulldogs, all suffering from severe malnutrition and dehydration. The dogs were immediately provided with water, and footage captured by police body cameras showed them gulping water desperately from large bowls, clearly in need of rehydration. A veterinarian who arrived at the scene confirmed that the dogs were suffering and would continue to do so if left in such conditions. Tragically, one dachshund puppy was too weak to survive and died from starvation and dehydration. In total, 14 young dogs were treated at a veterinary facility, highlighting the severity of the neglect.

Further investigations revealed that Anderson-Letts had been operating under the guise of a dog rescue organization called 2nd Chance Rescue, although her true intent appeared to be profiting from the sale of puppies. Court evidence showed that she had been involved in falsifying importation documents for underage puppies and selling them without the necessary licenses in 2020. Advertisements for these puppies indicated she could potentially earn up to £173,000 from sales, all while misleading buyers about the reasons for selling the animals.

During the sentencing hearing at Kingston Crown Court on January 7, 2025, Judge Marcus Tregilgas-Davey condemned her actions, stating, “What is clear, investigations show Micaela Anderson-Letts was part of a Facebook group advertising these dogs for sale. It was clear she had these dogs for no other reason than to sell them on and make a profit.”

In addition to the case involving the dogs in Eastbourne, police uncovered a further act of cruelty at Anderson-Letts’ former residence in Surbiton, southwest London. During a police raid on May 19, 2020, amid the COVID-19 lockdown, officers found the remains of two dead pigs in her garden. Anderson-Letts claimed the animals had died of illness seven days earlier. The officers also discovered live pigs confined in a small, hot pen with no access to food or water, suffering in the extreme heat. The judge described her treatment of these animals as “disgraceful and uncaring,” and initially recommended an immediate custodial sentence.

However, considering her responsibilities as a mother to a young child, her sentence was suspended for two years. The court also ordered her to complete 300 hours of unpaid community service, undergo up to 20 days of rehabilitation, and banned her from owning animals or applying for any licenses related to animals in the future.

Following the sentencing, police officer Marie Jenner expressed her satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “It transpired that Anderson-Letts had previously been issued an animal banning order and showed complete disregard to the judicial system by continuing to involve herself with puppies. After lots of hard work and dedication over the past three years, I am happy that this case has finally come to a conclusion. I would like to thank all staff and officers involved, the RSPCA inspectors, vets, and witnesses who supported this investigation, along with members of the public who assisted in the rescue of these innocent puppies.”

The case underscores the ongoing issues of illegal puppy trading and animal cruelty, with the rescued dogs now rehomed to loving families after receiving the necessary veterinary care. Micaela Anderson-Letts’ actions have brought to light the importance of vigilance and enforcement in protecting vulnerable animals from neglect and exploitation.