A man has been charged with cruelty in connection with the discovery of nearly 30 dead animals at a stables, it emerged today.
Lee Howard is to appear before magistrates in Co Durham next week charged with causing unnecessary suffering to 13 horses, 11 hens, four dogs and one rabbit.
He is also charged with abandoning three dogs in circumstances likely to cause them unnecessary suffering.
The prosecution, which has been brought by the RSPCA, relate to the discovery of the remains of the dead animals at the run-down property in Trimdon, Co Durham, in May.
A rottweiler and two border collies were believed to have survived, either by eating the carcasses, or by gnawing into food sacks.
Howard, 39, of Beaumont Road, Middlesbrough, is to appear before Bishop Auckland Magistrates' Court on October 17.
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