RSPCA and police officers removed two dogs from a house in Darlington amid fears for their health, a court was told.

Carol Bogg, 45, of Hornby House, Darlington, appeared for trial at Bishop Auckland Magistrates’ Court yesterday charged with failing to provide a suitable environment for the animals, and failing to ensure the welfare of one of the dogs, which was classed as obese.

She pleaded not guilty to both charges, from December last year.

Kevin Campbell, for the RSPCA, told the court that police attended Oaklands Terrace, in Darlington, on December 17 investigating concerns for a person in the house. The premises appeared unoccupied, but two dogs were barking inside.

The officers forced entry, and found the mail piled up, dog faeces around the house and a strong smell of urine.

Two collie-cross type dogs, referred to as SC1 and SC2, were removed from the property and taken to Stanhope Park Veterinary Hospital.

Veterinary surgeon Micaela Wright, who treated the animals, told the court they smelled of faeces and urine when they arrived at the surgery, and had long nails, early cataracts, dull coats, and tartar on their teeth.

She said SC1 weighed 38.2kg, well over the recommended weight of 20kg to 26kg for a dog that size.

Miss Wright added: “They were sleeping on a double bed that was covered in faecal matter, and the ceiling had fallen into the dogs’ beds.”

The court also heard that RSPCA inspectors warned Ms Bogg about SC1’s obesity in June last year, which resulted in the dog losing 4kg.

The trial continues today.