A man accused of a string of animal cruelty charges after almost 30 dead animals were discovered at a run-down stables today denied all of the charges.
Lee Howard made a brief appearance at Bishop Auckland Magistrates Court, in County Durham, where he pleaded not guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to 13 horses, 11 hens, four dogs and a rabbit.
Howard, 39, also denied abandoning three dogs in circumstances likely to cause them unnecessary suffering.
The RSPCA prosecution follows the gruesome discovery of the animals at a rundown property in Trimdon, County Durham, in May.
The hearing was adjourned for a pre-trial review to be held at the court on December 14.
Howard, of Douglas Street, Middlesbrough, was granted unconditional bail.
Kevin Campbell, prosecuting for the RSPCA, told the court any eventual trial would probably last three days.
Reporting restrictions were not lifted.
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