A WOMAN who cares for mistreated basset hounds around West Devon this week announced a milestone, as one of her dogs is now the oldest in the country. Julia Lewis runs Yeldersley Basset Hounds Search and Rescue and was given 20-year-old Bert ten years ago, after the dog?s owner was taken into a nursing home after a fall. One of the man?s carers asked Julia to look after Bert, who at the time was almost eleven. Julia said Bert was completely stressed when he arrived. ?He had been hand-fed all his life so when he came to me he wouldn?t eat. It took him one year to leave my side because he was stressed and had only known one man,? she said. At one point Julia thought she would have to put Bert to sleep as he was always distressed, but one day it changed and he was fine. Bert slowly came around with TLC and is now the oldest example of his breed in the country ? bassets usually only live until thirteen. At night Julia said Bert will not stay on his own as he had been brought up sleeping in the bedroom. Bert is now completely deaf, so Julia has to communicate to him by sign language. He also has an enlarged heart which pushes on his windpipe, so has to take tablets to stop the coughing. Julia said: ?Now when everyone comes to see me they always take his picture. They can?t believe he is twenty.? Currently, Julia is highlighting the use of puppy farms, claiming most of the mistreated basset hounds she takes in come from people who have bought a dog from puppy farmers. Most recently Julia was given a basset hound which was in a ?terrible state?. A bitch had been given a caesarian section by a puppy farmer and sown up with bailer twine. Julia said puppy farmers breed most dogs in their first season - it is usual to wait until the second or third. ?This makes the dogs mentally unstable and aggressive. ?I have put down three in the last year as the dogs really meant business. One went for me as I went to stroke him to take his lead off.? If anyone wishes to find out more contact Julia Lewis on 01803 712369 or e-mail [email protected]">[email protected]