Siblings kept 29 dogs in squalor at house, court hears

An RSPCA inspector who called at the address in Burntwood found faeces ground into carpets, fly eggs in food that had been left out and some dogs soaking wet and without shelter in the garden, Cannock Magistrates Court was told.

One animal was found in a cupboard under the stairs surrounded by clutter after it was heard whimpering, the court was told.

Paul Wiggin, aged 53, and Rosemary Wiggin, 49, both of Queen Street, are standing trial accused of failing to ensure the welfare of the dogs, most of which were Shih Tzus.

Opening the case, prosecutor Mr Paul Taylor said: "It's a small house. We would say far too small for 29 dogs to be kept."

He said the environment had not been clean or safe, adding: "Excrement was in fact ground into the carpet of the house."

RSPCA inspector Jayne Bashford told the court that she arrived at their home on July 31 last year after the charity received a call from someone expressing concern for the welfare of the animals.

She said she was let in by Rosemary Wiggin and immediately found the atmosphere to be 'chaotic' with lots of dogs barking.

Giving evidence, she said: "The whole house was very, very dirty.

"There appeared to be an awful lot of ground in faeces and dirt that covered the carpet."

She said there were paper plates on the floor containing wet dog food which had gone dry and contained fly eggs.

Inspector Bashford said rooms upstairs were full of clutter and the bathroom was also dirty, adding: "The environment was very cramped, it was chaotic and it was also unhygienic."

She told the court that she had found more dogs in the garden and some had no access to shelter, even though it was raining.

The court heard that she gave Rosemary Wiggin the opportunity to sign some of the dogs over to the care of the RSPCA but she refused.

After conditions were reviewed by a vet called to the property, the 29 dogs were seized.

Inspector Bashford said they had found one dog in a cupboard under the stairs after hearing whimpering, adding: "The dog was literally placed into the middle of a wall of items."

The court heard that the vet who had been called to the address immediately noticed an 'overpowering bad smell' just after getting out of her vehicle and described conditions inside the house as 'faeces-ridden'.

Inspector Bashford said Paul Wiggin later turned up angry and started swearing at a police officer who had also been called to the address.

Mr Taylor said he admitted to owning three of the dogs.

The pair are accused of failing to ensure the dogs were provided with a safe and clean environment, adequate protection from hazards and a comfortable, clean and dry rest area.

The trial continues.