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Pets found in awful conditions head RSPCA campaign

RSPCA A brown and white dog with its tongue out is looking at the camera. The floor is covered with litter and empty dog food cans. RSPCA
24 dogs were seized from the property, 15 of which were Staffordshire bull terrier and crossbreed puppies

The "appalling" conditions inside a Walsall home, where 34 animals were seized, are being used in an RSPCA campaign to highlight the support animals need at Christmas.

Police alerted the charity after 24 dogs, seven cats, two rats and a hamster were found living in the house, surrounded by waste and hundreds of empty dog food cans.

Officers had to wear protective clothing and face masks when entering the property, due to the overpowering smell of ammonia and faeces.

The conditions are being used to highlight the rise in cases of animal neglect, with the number of abandoned animals during winter months rising by 51% over the last three years.

RSPCA deputy chief inspector Vicki Taylor attended the scene and said officers faced a multitude of animal welfare issues.

"The living environment was the worst I have ever seen in her 21 years with the charity," she added.

Cats were crammed into "filthy" guinea pig cages with no sign of litter trays or fresh food or water, and one of the 24 dogs at the property had a broken leg.

Inspector Taylor added: “None of the animals had been neutered and I think it was a situation where the owners had probably started off with a few pets which had bred and numbers had then got out of hand over many months."

RSPCA Two cats cramped together in a dirty guinea pig cage. Several empty dog food cans to the left of the cage. RSPCA
Several enclosures had more than one cat in and their coats were stained yellow from urine

The animals were rehabilitated at various RSPCA rehoming centres, including the Birmingham Animal Centre, where seven of the rescued dogs were taken care of.

Raya, a Staffordshire bull terrier cross, was one of the dogs rehabilitated at the centre.

She was "very timid and frightened" when she arrived, but found her "brave side and gained confidence", before being rehomed in June 2024.

RSPCA A brown and white Staffordshire bull terrier cross looking into the camera. She is wearing a red collar and is held in a woman's arm. RSPCA
Raya found her "puppy curiosity", making friends with staff, volunteers and other dogs at the centre

Three people were living in the property when police entered in April 2023.

Following an RSPCA prosecution, two people were disqualified from keeping all animals for life and given suspended 20-week custodial sentences after pleading guilty to offences including failing to provide the animals with veterinary care, a suitable living environment and taking reasonable steps to protect them from pain, suffering, injury and disease.

A third person from the same area was fined £50 and ordered to pay £100 in costs.

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