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.
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 .
SAILING peacefully across a river in the early morning light, a fisherman in China keeps a 1000 year old tradition alive .
EAGERLY BITING his nails, this little squirrel is clearly nervous of looming predators as he searches for his meal .
FROM a HOLLYWOOD actress to the face of an innocent child, these are incredible drawings with an unlikely twist .
WITHOUT A care in the world, this little snow monkey puts his feet up and settles in for a snooze .
BALANCING on top of a tree, this bear cub puts her climbing skills to the test .
SEA LIFE and greenery in one shot show nature at its very best .
AN ANGRY giraffe gave a bush-riding cyclist a scare when he stomped his £2K bike into the dirt .
Sitting all alone on drift ice in the Arctic Ocean, this lonely little fella looks lost .
An Italian photographer travelled to northern India where he visited poverty stricken suburbs and captured ordinary people in a series of intimate and expressive portraits .
FLYING through the air, these delighted pooches pull their best poses mid-flight .
TUGGING on the wing of his sibling, this needy owl is after some attention .