HUNDREDS of emaciated and decaying carcasses were recovered from a North-East farm yesterday on another black day for animal cruelty in the region.

Sickened animal welfare officers recovered 264 dead mice, guinea pigs and rabbits, which were surrounded by decaying hay and excrement, at a farm near Darlington.

Officers from the RSPCA said some of the animals had been dead for weeks. Some were so badly decomposed they no longer resembled animals.

Incredibly eight cats were found alive at the scene and have been taken to an animal sanctuary.

The Northern Echo understands that the buildings, which are owned by Low Goosepool Farm, near Middleton St George, were rented to a south Durham pet shop owner.

The farm, which is a quarter of a mile from the sheds, has no connection with the animals.

Brenda Harrison, who runs the farm with her husband, told The Northern Echo that she alerted the RSPCA on Sunday after she made the gruesome discovery.

She said they had no idea about the condition of the animals in the shed until she checked on them by chance.

"I found some of them and it turned my stomach," she said.

"It was just absolutely stinking devastation.

"There were bodies laid on the floor. The cats had been eating them. There were some half pulled out of the cages.

"I couldn't look any more because it just made me ill."

The Northern Echo knowns the identity of the person who rents the sheds but has agreed not to name them at the request of the RSPCA, which fears doing so could jeopardise its investigation.

RSPCA chief inspector Gary Palmer said: "The only animals we found alive were eight cats, which we've now been able to relocate to the safety of an RSPCA animal centre.

"But for all the other animals, it was simply too late. I've seen some nasty cases as an RSPCA inspector, but this is a particularly harrowing discovery."

The incident comes as a law to prevent animal cruelty is about to get the Royal Assent.

It is hoped the Bill will help put an end to the North-East's appalling record of animal cruelty, which is one of the worst in the country.

The Bill, which comes after a long campaign by the RSPCA for the Government to look at animal cruelty laws, will put a duty of care on all animal owners and could stamp out cruelty and neglect before an animal is hurt.

The new law will mean animal owners must ensure their creatures have adequate shelter, food, water and veterinary care and are free of pain, injury and distress.

A spokesman from the RSPCA said: "Inspectors were called to attend rented outbuildings on a farm near Middleton St George, County Dur-ham, on Sunday, following a tip-off from a concerned member of the public.

"When the RSPCA arrived, they found 264 dead animals, mostly mice and guinea pigs but also including rabbits, in various stages of decomposition.

"Although it is impossible at this stage to say accurately, it appears that some of these animals had been dead for several weeks. The premises appear to have been used as a breeding facility.

"The RSPCA is now gathering information and will interview the parties involved before deciding on the correct course of action.

"Until investigations are completed, the RSPCA will not be able to comment on any details of the case which could prejudice any future legal action."