A WOMAN accused of animal cruelty after dead puppies were found piled up in a wheelbarrow at a farm in Bradford had the case against her dismissed by a district judge today.

Julie Nunney, 54, of Tyersal Lane, had denied four charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and two of failing to ensure the needs of animals for which she was responsible.

The charges were brought by the RSPCA following a raid with police on the farm on the morning of September 24 last year.

Leeds Magistrates' Court had been shown video footage taken by RSPCA officers of the dead puppies, plus others drinking water from a puddle and kennels littered with faeces.

Police seized items from Julie Nunney's bedroom including diaries allegedly containing lists of the sales of puppies and their prices, and the RSPCA claimed she had a "supervisory or organisational" role in looking after and selling the dogs.

She maintained she was not responsible for the care of the dogs, saying that her presence at the farm on the day of the raid did not prove her guilt, rather that she was "in the wrong place at the wrong time".

District Judge Marie Mallon today agreed there was insufficient evidence to proceed and formally acquitted her of all the charges against her.

Her daughter Bernadette Nunney, 24, also of Tyersal Lane, remains on trial accused of the same six charges.

John Wilcock, 35, of the same address, has already pleaded guilty to the offences.

The trial continues.