Airbnb cottage owner's horror after puppy seller trashes Inverness holiday home

An Airbnb owner was left horrified after discovering her Highlands holiday home had been trashed by a puppy seller.

Tracey Parsons had rented the Inverness cottage out to a woman for ten days last weekend.

“She rented the property for herself and one dog for ten days, which was unusual but I was happy to have a January booking,” Ms Parsons said.

On the Tuesday after the client’s arrival, 14 puppies and a dog were discovered at the cottagwe which was covered in faeces and rubbish.

Ms Parsons, and her partner David Bradley, were contacted by their neighbour who had seen an abandoned car up the road from the home containing puppies.

The neighbour knocked on the door and told Ms Parsons she was hit with a “foul smell and yapping dogs”.

Mr Bradley headed straight for the property, while Ms Parsons was unwell at home.

The car in which the neighbour found some of the puppies. Supplied

“The woman wasn’t going to let him in and when he eventually got in he was mortified at what he saw,” Ms Parsons said.

Mr Bradley later discovered a young couple waiting outside the property who said they were there to buy a puppy.

“They were paying £1,500 for it but left after David showed them pictures of the state they were in”, Ms Parsons said.

She later attended the property and found the puppies left in cages.

Tracey Parsons said her property was 'completely trashed'. — Tracey Parsons said her property was ‘completely trashed’. Supplied

The owner confronted the woman who had said she was going to clean up before leaving.

“I don’t think she realises the damage she has done,” Ms Parsons said, “We’re a week on and still cleaning, can’t get rid of the smell.”

Ms Parsons also refuted claims made by the woman who told other publications that she offered to pay for the mess and that it was down to police.

This is the first time the Airbnb owner has had any problems while renting out the property.

The Airbnb owner said they have been cleaning the cottage for over a week. Supplied

“It’s shocking really, the Highlands is such a quiet place, the cottage has always been left in good condition on every other booking we’ve had,” Ms Parsons told STV News.

Ms Parsons confirmed she and the neighbour had contacted the SSPCA and police on separate occasions but believes the dogs have been returned to the puppy seller.

14 puppies and a dog were discovered at home which was covered in faeces and rubbish. Supplied

Scottish SPCA inspector Andy Brown said: “We were called out to a cottage in Scaniport, Inverness, on Tuesday, January 9, after receiving reports of puppies being left in a vehicle for days.

“When we attended there were no dogs in the vehicle. A number of puppies were being kept in the property, along with their mum, and we had these animals checked over by a vet.

“The vet had no concerns over their health. We are continuing to work with the owner of these animals to ensure they are being appropriately cared for.

“If anybody has any future concerns over these dogs or any other animal, they can contact our confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.“

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We received a report of concern about dogs in the Torbreck area near Inverness around 12.30pm on Tuesday, January 9.

“Officers attended along with a partner agency and carried out enquiries. No criminality was established, and no further police action was taken.”

Statement from Airbnb spokesperson: “We were deeply saddened to hear about this and our specialist team is in touch with the Host to provide support.

“We stand ready to assist both the police and Scottish SPCA with any investigation.

“Our dedicated law enforcement portal allows police forces to contact us with a suspected issue, while residents can use our Neighbourhood Support Line to report urgent concerns.”