A MAN who kept seven dogs, 13 cats and a fish in “unbelievably squalid” conditions was today given a community order and told he must do 200 hours unpaid work.

David Brown, of Bonny Crescent, Ipswich, was also given a probation supervision order for 12 months by Ipswich magistrates after one RSPCA inspector described it as his worst case in 20 years.

He was also disqualified until further order from owning or keeping animals, with the exception of cats as his partner - who lives at a separate property - has three cats of her own.

Last month Brown admitted causing unnecessary suffering to seven dogs between May 24 and June 26. The 50-year-old also pleaded guilty to three counts of failing in the duty of a person responsible for animal welfare. These charges related to five golden retrievers, two spaniels, the cats and a fish.

When police, the RSPCA, borough council staff, a vet and a locksmith managed to break into Brown’s home they found the house, and the dogs, covered in their own mess.

The cats were also distressed in the filthy conditions, while the fish hardly had any water in its dirty tank.

In addition to his court orders Brown must pay costs of �2,210.70.

A 14th cat was also discovered at Brown’s home in Bonny Crescent a week after it was raided.

The animal was believed to have been hiding in the kitchen at the time and was seen at a window several days later by a neighbour who contacted the RSPCA.

After today’s sentencing Inspector Marc Niepold of the RSPCA said: “I am pleased with the result. I have been an inspector for 20 years and I have never found animals living in such squalid conditions before - without water, without ventilation.

“I’m amazed they were as healthy as they were. If they had been left in those conditions any longer they would have been extremely ill.”