It's incredible to think anyone could live in such horrendous squalor - yet two men have been prosecuted for keeping their homes in such revolting conditions that it was no longer fit for their animals. The RSPCA has brought two separate cases to court against pet owners Michael Clifford Harness and Shaun Parkin, both from Hull, in what they are calling some of the worst conditions inspectors had ever witnessed. The flea infested homes were both found to be housing several animals, some who had infections from the revolting conditions including one dog that had chewed off its own tail. Inspectors at the animal charity were shocked to discover the properties teeming with fleas, covered in urine and faeces and filled with rubbish. Most of the animals were found to be starving.
A cheeky owl fancies a game of hide and seek as it peeps out from behind a tree .
TOMORROW (Saturday) marks the 28th anniversary of the nuclear disaster that left the city of Chernobyl devastated .
WITH A STERN look of determination on their faces, these adorable pooches perfect their doggy paddle as they dive head first into a swimming pool .
A group of otters put on a show of aqua aerobics, as they raise their flippers perfectly in sync .
VENTURING into the ocean with self-made spears and nets, the fishermen of Zanzibar put their lives on the line when they catch food for their families .
A US firefighter has battled osteoarthritis and four hip replacements to break the world paddleboarding record .
This hungry white tiger has just one thing on her mind - to taste fresh meat .
From a platter of finger licking chicken wings to a bowl of Chinese noodle soup, these foodie snaps are enough to make your savoury saliva glands drool .
Animal rescue volunteers have told how a cat riddled with cancer was forced to ripped off its own ears after it was abandoned by its owners .
HUDDLING under a leaf, a pair of adorable Javan scops owls take shelter from the rain .
SNUGGLED up in the hay away from the elements, this adorable hoglet has sought solace with a familiar friend .
IN THE not so MISTY MOUNTAINS of Wiltshire, there lies an abandoned hobbit house .