The Agricultural and Food Board (PTA) conducted an inspection at a kennel in Tallinn in September 2024. The kennel bred Pomeranians. Officials found that the dogs were living in poor conditions. For example, there were 40 dogs behind the garage and another 20 on the second floor. The rooms were dirty and contaminated.
21 dogs were found in a small wire cage in the attic of the house. The dogs had little space, and some were too hot. Two dogs were so weak that they couldn’t stand. One dog was dead.
PTA moved 87 Pomeranians from the kennel to a shelter because their lives and health were at risk. Six people filed a complaint claiming that 14 of the dogs belonged to them, not the breeder. They demanded the return of the dogs.
The Shelter Association MTÜ reported that four dogs had already been given to new owners. PTA doubted whether the complainants were the actual owners of the dogs. They found that some of the documents were false.
The Tallinn Administrative Court largely rejected the complainants' application. However, three dogs were returned to the complainants. The court ruled that the dogs must not remain with the breeder during the proceedings.
PTA appealed the decision to the Tallinn Circuit Court. The Circuit Court left three dogs in the possession of the complainants. The dispute over the dogs continues in the Administrative Court.