A DISGUSTED animal rights inspector has described how she struggled to comprehend the sight of a filthy rescue which kept 50 animals in squalid conditions.

RSPCA inspectors Emma Beynon and Caroline Richardson both entered the animal rescue, in Harwich Road, Colchester, after concerns were raised over the welfare of those inside.

Rescue officers found 44 ferrets, four foxes, three jackdaws, two pigeons and two crows living in filthy conditions in cages, pet carriers and crates.

Emma, who led the investigation, said: “As I stepped inside the conservatory I could not really take in what I was seeing, the smell of faeces was overwhelming and there were so many flies.

“I have not seen so many flies in a house before.”

One cat carrier containing two ferrets was covered in flies and had faeces spilling out of it and a fox was being kept in a plastic kennel crate.

Caroline added: “There was an overwhelming smell coming from the garden.

“I immediately recognised the smell as fox faeces, but it was stronger than I have ever smelt, despite having experienced foxes defecating in the back of my RSPCA van on numerous occasions.

“I found an old fox being kept in a tunnel-like enclosure, the base of which was thick with faeces and dirt.

“Two more foxes were in a dog crate attached to a plastic kennel.

“The whole floor of the enclosure had several inches of compacted faeces and dirt.”

A crow, two pigeons, a dove and two foxes were rehabilitated and released back into the wild.

Following the inspection, David Thompson, 51, was charged with failing to take steps to ensure the needs of protected animals and causing unnecessary suffering to protected animals.

Appearing at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court last week, he was banned from keeping animals for three years, ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work and pay £625 in costs.