Dogsey

A couple who said they were providing animals sanctuary have been convicted of animal cruelty after the RSPCA raided their house and they found themselves in court. Husband and wife, James and Nicola said they gave sanctuary to 69 animals, 56 of which were dogs that they said were destined to be put down. When the RSPCA raided the house they said they were "swamped by a sea of dogs" in the lounge and that there were "too many too count" in the back garden, in the couple's four bedroom house - where five children also live.

Amongst the dogs were, German Shepherds, Siberian Huskies, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Rottweilers as well as chinchillas, cats and birds.

James 40 and Nicola 31 from Queens Road in Minhead, Somerset, admitted nine animal cruelty charges at Taunton Magistrates Court relating to animals kept at their home.

RSPCA officers testified that when they visited the house on October 17 2011 they were immediately hit by a "strong smell of ammonia", and described the house as "dirty" and that many of the animals suffered from health issues, affecting their eyes, teeth, ears and skin - and that some had been suffering for a year or so,

The Defence team told the magistrates that the majority of animals were in danger of being put down as their owners could not cope with them, but that the couple themselves had become overwhelmed by the sheer number of animals in their home.

Sentencing has been adjourned to a later hearing and the couple have been released on bail.