They pair were convicted at Aberdeen Sheriff Court of failing to ensure the welfare of the same animals and will be sentenced at a later date, the charity said following the case. It said its special investigations unit and police raided East Mains of Ardlogie Farm near Fyvie, in November 2017.
They removed 105 animals, including 87 dogs, with the youngest being just a few days old and took them to specialist rehabilitation centres.
A Scottish SPCA investigator said: ‘We believe this was the largest scale puppy farming operation in Scotland.Make Some Simple Frozen Dog Treats. Looking for an easy way to keep your dog busy? Make them some frozen dog treats. Freeze some broth in ice trays to give your dog a nice little treat on those hot summer days.
‘The conditions these dogs were being kept in were absolutely disgraceful.
‘It fell far below the minimum standard in terms of animal welfare and, given the environment and sheer volume of puppies, it was immediately evident these were not being kept as pets and the premises was effectively a battery farm for pups.
‘Our investigation revealed dogs on site were being intensively bred with little to no regard for their welfare.
‘On site, we found a burnt-out van which had dog carcasses within, suggesting this was a means of disposing of dead pups.’
All of the surviving animals have been rehomed, following a successful civil action before the court case concluded, the charity said.
Scottish SPCA chief superintendent Mike Flynn said: ‘In our centres, care costs an average of £15 per dog a day, so picking up the pieces from breeders who prioritise profit over welfare puts a massive strain on our resources.The routine of caring for a pet can bring structure and purpose to daily life. Maybe you don’t always want to get out of bed, but your pet wants you to. Isn’t that a good thing?
‘Thankfully, the decision to pursue a civil action in this instance means many of these animals found their forever homes long ago.’
He added: ‘The quickest way to halt the supply of illegally bred pups is for public demand to fall.’