Vet kept 30 dogs and cats in dungeon under his surgery

A VET and his assistant face jail for keeping dozens of dogs and cats in ‘appalling’ conditions – including in a ‘dungeon’ hidden below their practice.

Some 12 huskies were found locked in cages in the pitch-black cellar, with little access to food or water.

The space was entered through a trap door – which had been covered by a carpet and table. More animals were discovered upstairs in similarly filthy conditions, a court heard.

Gary Samuel, 49, and Rochelle McEwan, 28, could now get six months in prison and a £20,000 fine after being found guilty of six animal welfare offences.

Police were called to Armley Vets in Leeds after a 999 report that Samuel was threatening McEwan with a hammer. But when they arrived, officers became concerned about the welfare of the animals in their care, and contacted the RSPCA in February last year. Samuel showed them the trap door leading to the cellar containing cages of emaciated dogs. There was no natural light or ventilation.

Leeds magistrates’ court heard that he then tried to place blame on his girlfriend, who lived with him above the surgery, claiming: ‘These are her animals. She never feeds them, just collects them.’

There was a strong smell of excrement in the cellar, the court heard. Officers also described the cats upstairs as ‘skin and bone’. The RSPCA took away 22 dogs and eight cats. Five of the animals had to be put down.

Samuel and McEwan denied four charges of causing unnecessary suffering to animals and two of neglect of duty by a person responsible for their welfare.

However, they were found guilty after a five-day trial, and will be sentenced next month. Samuel could also be barred from working as a veterinary surgeon.

Judge Marie Mallon dismissed the vet as a liar who tried to ‘distance himself’ from his partner and the animals. She said: ‘I find ample evidence that both defendants had responsibility for all the animals recovered.’

RSPCA inspector Nikki Cheetham said: ‘The condition of these animals was appalling.’