SEVEN puppies - six of them dead - were found “piled” up in a wheelbarrow at a farm in Bradford, an animal cruelty trial was told yesterday.

RSPCA Inspector Emma Ellis told Leeds Magistrates' Court that a colleague noticed that one of the Collie-type animals - which was under two carcasses - was still breathing.

The court was told the puppy later died despite being rushed to a veterinary surgery. Rigor mortis had set in on some of the puppies, the court heard.

Julie Nunney, 54, and Bernadette Nunney, 24, both of Tyersal House Farm, Tyersal Lane, deny four charges each of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and two each of failing to ensure the needs of animals for which they were responsible.

John Wilcock, 35, of Tyersal House Farm, Tyersal Lane, has pleaded guilty to the same six charges faced by Julie Nunney and Bernadette Nunney.

Iain O’Donnell, prosecuting for the RSPCA, told the court that police and inspectors from the charity executed a warrant at the farm at about 9.20am on September 24 last year.

The RSPCA seized 43 dogs from the premises, the court heard. Thirty-seven of them related to the charges in court.

The seven puppies were the only ones to die.

The court was shown video footage filmed at the farm by RSPCA Inspector Nikki Cheetham. It showed the puppies in the wheelbarrow, including the one still breathing.

It also showed the red-brick stables-turned-kennels that some of the dogs were being kept in.

She filmed five “subdued” tiny puppies, some of them drinking from a puddle.

She also filmed in each of the kennels. In one was a “border collie” on straw “littered” with dog faeces, while in another were two spaniels with “more than 20 piles of faeces and no food or water”.

Another kennel had Greek yoghurt, seemingly given to the dogs as food, in it, the court was told.

Other dogs seized included a Chihuahua with an eye condition, a Border Collie with dental disease, and a lame Beagle.

A German Shepherd dog in “reasonable condition”, said Inspector Ellis, was tethered between two stable blocks, with food and water.

Another dog was in a caravan with no visible food and water.

Some of the dogs filmed did have water and, or, food, the court was told.

Insp Ellis told the court that it was Insp Cheetham who had spotted the puppy that was still breathing in the wheelbarrow.

She also said she recognised one of the dead puppies from a Pets for Homes sales advert.

Speaking about the visit to the farm, Insp Ellis told the court: “Police told us they had found a wheelbarrow full of dead dogs so we immediately went to look at that.”

She added: “The dogs were piled in it. Under the carcasses of two dogs was this dog with its chest rising and falling.”

Mr O’Donnell showed the court a video clip from the BBC television programme Panorama, which carried out its own investigation into the farm, including doing some secret filming.

“It shows a BBC reporter speaking to someone claiming to be called Louise to arrange a visit to the premises to buy a puppy called Gizmo,” said Mr O’Donnell.

“The BBC and the RSPCA had no idea what each other was doing.”

Mr O’Donnell said undercover reporters paid £275 for Gizmo.

He added: “The prosecution is alleging unnecessary suffering under the Animal Welfare Act to a number of canines."

Clive Rees, for Julie Nunney, said none of the animals seemed underweight. He also said one of the kennels looked “pretty clean”.

  •  The proceedings were today [Tuesday] adjourned until tomorrow after Bernadette Nunney fell ill mid-morning and was taken to hospital. Making the decision, District Judge Marie Mallon told the court the defendant’s health was the main priority. The trial continues.

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