A BRIERLEY Hill couple have been banned from owning animals for life after the RSPCA find ‘one of the worst’ cases they had ever seen.

In July last year, the RSPCA rescued 18 dogs, three cats, six horses and a donkey after many were found shut in dilapidated kennels, sheds, shipping containers, horse boxes and vans within a scrap yard behind the couple’s property.

Surrounded by hazards and faeces and without bedding, very few of the animals had access to water or food.

Some were also suffering due to a variety of untreated ailments and in desperate need of veterinary help.

Appearing at Coventry Magistrates Court on September 12, Jason Evans, aged 45 of Pedmore Road was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison.

Dudley News: Eighteen dogs were rescued. Eighteen dogs were rescued. (Image: RSPCA.)

Lisa Evans, aged 35, also of Pedmore Road was sentenced to a 12-week jail term suspended for 12 months.

She must also undertake 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) days with a critical thinking programme.

RSPCA inspectors were called to the couple’s address by West Midlands Police on July 29, 2021, because of concerns for the welfare of animals at the property.

Arriving at around 9 pm, rescuers were forced to use head torches to search for animals.

Officers first discovered six horses, including three foals who were curled up together in a heap on the floor.

RSPCA inspector Jack Alderson, who investigated for the animal welfare charity said: “This enclosure was too small for this number of animals. There was no hay or any other food available and although there was a large black trough in front of me, it contained nothing.

“The floor was completely soddened with a large build-up of faeces and the roof wasn’t large enough to cover the animals inside. This was compounded by the numerous hazards dotted around the enclosure including gates and ladders on the floor.”

Dudley News: Animals were found in 'horrendous conditions'.Animals were found in 'horrendous conditions'. (Image: RSPCA)

Inspectors found another pen containing a horse with ribs and hips clearly visible with no food or water source available and the floor layered with faeces.

Inside a shed, the charity’s rescuers discovered two young kittens alongside a dead kitten and the skull of another animal.

The RSPCA also found another two horses with visible ribs and hips, two lurchers in poor bodily condition, six more dogs in an outdoor kennel without suitable access to water and the body of a dead puppy.

In a garden, three more dogs were discovered, while inside the house were crates stacked on top of each other containing two young puppies. 

Inside a shipping container, which had been split into two compartments, were two dogs, a male German shepherd dog and a female mastiff, both were lethargic with their bones visible.

Inspector Alderson added: “The conditions in this enclosure were also horrendous. The floor consisted of animal faeces and there was no comfortable rest area.

"The mastiff was in a concerning state, clearly suffering from a painful eye issue, a lack of adequate nutrition, and living in filth.

"This was one of the worst animal welfare situations I have ever been faced with.”

The couple must also each pay £500 costs and a £128 victim surcharge.

They cannot appeal to have their lifetime animal disqualifications to be lifted for ten years.