Outrageous, disgusting and unacceptable. Those are the words of the RSPCA used to describe some of the worst cases of animal suffering it tackled last year, as it published figures outlining the scale of the problem. The Northern Echo examines some of the the appalling examples of animal cruelty that took place in the region in 2004.

STALLION Mungo was living in a stable at Greenberry Farm, South Cowton, near North-allerton, North Yorkshire, where the roof was partially collapsed and manure lay 5ft deep.

As a result of continued neglect, his hooves had grown to a length of about 20in and were curled over.

Two mares kept in the same derelict stables were so disabled by their ill treatment that they had to be put down.

Owner Ernest Horsfield and his daughter, Deborah, were later banned for life at Northallerton Magistrates' Court from keeping animals.

He was jailed for three months, while his daughter was sentenced to a 200-hour community punishment order and made to pay £800 costs.

Inspector Justin Le Masurier, who investigated the case, said: "This was a dreadfully distressing example of cruelty sustained over a long period and no doubt making life a living hell for these horses."

Mungo, meanwhile, is recovering well at the RSPCA's Felledge Equine Centre, near Chester-le-Street.

TWELVE dogs were discovered infested with lice, covered in sores, bites and bruises and living and sleeping in their waste.

The dogs, owned by John Smith and his son, John Daniel Smith, were left to roam in a small bungalow in Eastfield, on the outskirts of Scarborough, North Yorkshire.

RSPCA officers and the police removed the animals from the rundown and stinking property in April last year.

Both were banned from keeping animals for life after they were prosecuted by solicitors from the RSPCA.

John Smith admitted causing unnecessary suffering to ten German shepherds, a collie-cross and a puppy, and was fined £500 and ordered to pay £500 costs.

His son, who admitted the same charges, was ordered to carry out a two-year community rehabilitation order.

Some of the dogs rescued are being cared for by new owners, while five housed at the RSPCA's Great Ayton rescue centre are in need of homes.

DYLAN the pointer had a tumour measuring 18in deep, 12in wide and 9in long growing from its stomach.

The plight of the ten-year-old dog was only discovered when a member of the public tipped off the RSPCA.

Owner Jennifer Weightman, of Mansfield Avenue, Thornaby, Teesside, was later banned from keeping all animals for ten years by Teesside magistrates.

She was also ordered to pay £50 costs, to carry out a 12-month rehabilitation order and a 100-hour community punishment order.

Inspector Christine Guy, of the RSPCA, said: "Words failed me when I saw the state of this dog.

"How could the owner have managed to ignore it day after day? Had the animal been seen at an earlier stage, action could have been taken.

"As it was, it was too late to save Dylan, who had to be put to sleep to end his suffering."

TWENTY-NINE cats were discovered living in a dirt-encrusted house, strewn with household rubbish and layer after layer of faeces.

Twenty-one cats were in such a neglected state they had to be put down. All the animals were riddled with fleas and bites, their paws were encrusted with faeces, most were underweight and some were pregnant.

Michael O'Malley, of Salters Road, Gosforth, Newcastle, admitted 14 charges of causing unnecessary suffering when he appeared before North Shields Magistrates' Court.

He was banned from keeping animals for life, fined £50 and ordered to pay £150 costs.