ANIMAL welfare officials found dozens of dogs living in kennels with urine-soaked saw dust and surrounded by piles of faeces when they visited a County Durham breeder's compound, a court was told.

RSPCA officers took film footage of conditions at 34-year-old Steven Hutchinson's property in Evenwood Gate, near Bishop Auckland, in March last year.

Kevin Campbell, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said while the stable block in which 44 dogs and six puppies were housed was fine, the internal environment caused concern.

Mr Hutchinson denies ten animal welfare charges and is currently on trial at Darlington Magistrates Court.

Vet Colin Vogel, appearing as an expert witness for the defence, conceded that the amount of faeces in some of the stables' dog pounds when the RSPCA attended the site was not consistent with the kennels having been cleaned at 10pm the night before, as had been claimed.

Mr Vogel said in some cases, it would have taken several days for that amount of faeces to accumulate.

Commenting on the condition of some of the dogs, he said spots and scabs were not uncommon on dogs playing with each other and pointed out that when they were taken away by the RSCPA they had not required veterinary treatment.

However, he agreed that if Mr Hutchinson had rigorous monitoring procedures in place, he would have been able to pick up any signs of sores, disease, or injuries at the first stage.

The trial continues.