Mum and sons kept dogs in cramped and soiled cages

The offences related to 22 dogs held at the property

A mother and her two sons, who kept dogs in cages described as so soiled with urine the smell "burned" the nose and throat of an RSPCA inspector, have been banned from keeping animals.

The dogs were found in metal cages, some stacked on top of each other with no water or bedding at Michelle Wilding's home in Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire, the RSPCA stated.

An inspector said Christopher Wilding, 41, told investigators the 22 dogs would spend up to 18 hours a day in cages in an outhouse, even when temperatures were just 3C.

Ms Wilding, 60, and elder son Christopher were given suspended jail terms, while Jack Wilding, 29, was fined £270 at Lancaster Magistrates Court. All three pleaded guilty.

The dogs were confined to tight, dirty spaces and denied food, water and medical aid, an RSPCA inspector said

All three family members, of Mains Lane, admitted to offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 between 8 October 2023 and 8 November 2023.

Michelle and Christopher were banned from keeping all animals for 15 years and given 27-week jail terms suspended for two years.

They were also ordered to pay a £187 victim surcharge, with Michelle told to complete 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Jack was banned from keeping animals for 10 years and was ordered to pay a £108 victim surcharge, on top of the stipulated fine.

The RSPCA first visited the site in January 2021 and advised Michelle the dogs' housing was unsuitable after finding "piles of rubbish bags in the doorway of the garage full of dog excrement and shavings".

One Pocket Bully was found in a cage which was too small, while other dogs had no access to water, the inspector stated at the time.

When the officer returned later the same month, she was refused access.

She returned in February and met Christopher, who admitted the dogs spent up to 18 hours per day in the "small cages" in an outside shed.

She measured the temperature around the kennels and found it was between 3-7C.

"I advised it would drop even colder at night, and that this was far too cold for the dogs."

She also gave advice on how to improve the situation and care for the dogs properly.

Many of the dogs had dental disease and tooth wear "likely from bar biting", a vet's report said

An animal rescue officer returned to the property in November 2023.

In a statement, she described the outhouse as "dirty and smelly".

"The building had a strong smell of ammonia that burned my nose and throat," she said.

"There were metal cages round the outside edge of the building, and then more towards the door piled on top of each other.

"Each pen had no food or water or bedding available, and contained urine and faeces.

"Some dogs were very cramped and unable to stand or turn around due to lack of space.

"Some dogs looked like they had pressure type sores, some were constantly spinning and chewing at the metal bars.

"I placed each dog on a lead for the vet to examine... some had to be carried as would not walk on a lead."

A vet's report said 12 of the dogs found on the site were described as having "thin body condition", two had heart murmurs, two had eye infections and two had ear infections.

Many had dental disease and tooth wear "likely from bar biting".

After the hearing, RSPCA Inspector Will Lamping, said: "These dogs were kept in conditions which no animal should suffer. They were confined in tight spaces, surrounded by dirt and denied food, water and medical aid."

He said it was a "relief to have been able to take those animals to a place of safety and get them the veterinary care they needed".

The RSPCA said it was looking to rehome the dogs it had recovered from the property.