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.
CARRYING a fully grown goat on his back, this five-year-old boy is a child shepherd in the mountains of northern Ethiopia .
BEAUTIFULLY lit by the dim glow of lanterns, a cave in Iceland is transformed into the perfect wedding venue .
A quiet Himalayan mountain village springs to life for a colourful Buddhist festival designed to expel evil spirits and bring happiness .
AN ANGRY giraffe gave a bush-riding cyclist a scare when he stomped his £2K bike into the dirt .
FLEXING his muscles and staring straight at his opponent, this bodybuilding squirrel is the nuts .
DASHING through the snow, this little stoat is on the lookout for a Christmas feast .
SURROUNDED by divers, a hungry green sea turtle enjoys being the centre of attention .
A SPECTRUM of colours fills the sky during this spectacular and natural display of light .
These beautiful photographs show how these playful pods of dolphins make their own fun by gliding, flipping and spinning through the air whilst enjoying the sun on their backs .
A once bustling gold rush town in Mono County, California now stands completed deserted .
TOMORROW (Saturday) marks the 28th anniversary of the nuclear disaster that left the city of Chernobyl devastated .