Disgusting look inside faeces-caked pet house of horrors where 30 cats, pair of dogs forced to live in complete squalor

WARNING: CONFRONTING IMAGES The horrifying conditions a couple forced 30 cats and two dogs to live in have been laid bare following an animal cruelty investigation. Kelly and Matthew De La Haye, of Mount Barker, were sentenced this week after pleading guilty to 24 counts of animal ill-treatment. Their convictions follow a probe by the RSPCA in South Australia, which revealed the couple had forced 30 cats and two dogs to live together in squalor in a three-bedroom home. When inspectors visited the property in Mount Barker, they were met with the putrid smell of animal faeces. When entering the home, the inspectors found droppings caking the floors, walls and doors, with cats free ranging through the house. Alarming footage captured by the RSPCA lays bare the hideous conditions the animals were left to live in. Caught on bodyworn camera, it shows the inspector searching around the property, which was strewn with faeces and pools of urine. It shows how they were greeted by one of the dogs as soon as they arrived, while the other huddles helplessly in a bed. Some of the cats appear emaciated and unwell. Inspectors found that many of the animals inside were suffering from serious eye infections, while three kittens were found covered from leg to back in diarrhoea. Every room of the property contained animals living in their own filth. Mrs De La Haye agreed to surrender 28 of the cats, while the remaining two cats and the two dogs were seized and taken to the RSPCA’s animal care campus at O’Halloran Hill. She told inspectors that she had been aware three of the kittens had been unwell for months and that she had planned to take them to the vet. However, no appointment had been made. Veterinary examinations revealed that the pets were suffering from a vast range of conditions, including cat flu, conjunctivitis and dental disease - some requiring surgery. Of the 32 rescued animals, 27 were able to recover and be rehomed, one died from natural causes and four needed to be humanely euthanised due to the severity of their conditions. Andrea Lewis, head of animal welfare at RSPCA SA said: “It is disappointing this couple didn’t address their squalid and unhygienic conditions, as it jeopardised the health and wellbeing of the animals in their care. “We seriously urge people to only commit to pets that they have the resources to adequately care for, and desex their animals, as required by law under the dog and cat management act.” Investigations found that only six of the animals rescued were desexed. Appearing at Mount Barker Magistrates Court on Thursday, Mr and Mrs De La Haye were placed on two year good behaviour bonds of $200 and ordered to pay $6,672 each in victim of crime levies. Magistrate Oliver Koehn also issued an order preventing the couple from owning any pets unless a further order was made. All of the animals in their care were forfeited to the RSPCA.