A MAN and woman have been handed suspended sentences after police and RSPCA officers found more than 40 animals "living in hell".

Michael Connolly, 56, and Mandy Allinson, 53 of Grosmont, Whitby, appeared at York Magistrates' Court, where they admitted to three offences each under the Animal Welfare Act, and handed 10-week jail terms, suspended for a year.

The pair were also ordered to pay a £115 victim surcharge and disqualified from keeping cats for seven years.

A warrant executed in September 2017, revealed dogs living in cages stacked on top of one another, dogs in kennels, covered in faeces and general conditions "overcrowded".

Dogs were also seen with untreated open wounds, and riddled with parasites.

Footage from the raid Video: RSPCA

RSPCA Inspector Claire Little said: "This couple were running an unregistered, unlicensed business breeding dogs and they were not properly protecting the dogs’ welfare and health.

“The puppies were all being kept inside the house while the adult dogs were kept out in a barn.

“It was cold, dark, and filthy in the barn.

"Some dogs were kept in cramped, dirty cages stacked on top of each other, while other dogs were in disgusting kennels covered in dirt and faeces.

"It absolutely stank inside the barn, it was hell.

“The dogs were yellow with urine stains and covered in fleas. Many were riddled with worms and suffering from nasty diseases like giardia, campylobacter and coccidia.”

“This couple were clearly trying to cash in on the popularity of designer dogs such as cockerpoos but they were failing to meet these dogs’ basic needs and many were seriously poorly.

“It was overcrowded, the disease control was poor and many of the dogs had matted coats and untreated open wounds. The floor was caked in faeces and water bowls were empty and upturned.

“Some had nasty skin infections and had made themselves bleed from constant scratching. One of the dogs had almost 2kg of matted fur removed.”

All animals were signed over to RSPCA care.