MORE than 100 animals were seriously neglected at the hands of a family who squashed the pets into every room of their flea-ridden home, a court was told. Twelve dogs, 15 cats, 11 rats, 23 mice, 18 birds, and exotic pets, including lizards and chipmunks, were among the animals that needed immediate medical treatment after they were discovered in filthy conditions the house in Church Terrace, Chatham.

A large pot-bellied pig was even found in a cellar without ventilation and with little natural lighting and a tarantula was found in a tiny goldfish bowl, barely twice its size. The extent of the animal cruelty was revealed at Medway Magistrates' Court when the RSPCA reported that it had cost them more than £48,000 to remove, treat and re-home the pets.

Douglas, 52, and Susan Legge, 48, and their daughters Kelly, 22, and Stacey, 18, pleaded guilty to several charges of causing unnecessary suffering to animals in their care. The case was adjourned until December 21 for pre-sentence reports and another RSPCA house inspection.