A MOTHER and daughter who kept 98 dogs and 22 cats in "utterly appalling" conditions could face prison.

Whitby magistrates heard yesterday how the animals were packed into the home of Edwina Ashworth and her daughter Rachel, and in three caravans, a shed and a garage at Rose Cottage, Low Marishes, near Pickering.

They were discovered by the RSPCA, emaciated and filthy.

Edwina Ashworth, 55, pleaded guilty on an earlier occasion to 34 counts of causing unnecessary suffering to animals in her care, and Rachel, 31, admitted 17 counts of causing unnecessary suffering yesterday.

Both had originally faced 39 such charges, with the RSPCA offering no evidence on the remaining matters.

Magistrates warned that they considered the offences so serious that prison was an option for both mother and daughter, but adjourned the case for pre-sentence reports before deciding on their punishment.

Philip Brown, for the RSPCA, said York-based inspector Gill Corder visited the home in December last year, and was initially refused access by Edwina Ashworth. But on later entering the premises she found an "appalling" scene, and called assistance from other inspectors and the police.

Mr Brown said the animals were in an "utterly unacceptable condition".

He said vet Torben Orskov, of Malton, inspected the animals and found them soiled with urine and faeces. Thirty dogs were kept in the living room and 22 cats in another room. He said the vet described it as an "unhygienic, overcrowded environment" with insufficient water for the animals to drink.

In such conditions the animals were susceptible to conditions such as dermatitis and skin infections, worms and fleas.

Exposure to high levels of ammonia could cause irritation to the eyes causing conjunctivitis.

He said the vet was "utterly appalled" by the squalor in which the animals were living. He said some animals were suffering from conditions such as diabetes, which required veterinary care.

A shitzu found in one of the caravans was a "high maintenance" dog with a long coat which should be brushed daily and clipped around the face to prevent the hair covering the eyes.

He said the vet had concluded that the dog had not been clipped for six months, and the coat had been severely matted.

"It had to be sedated for the coat to be removed, and was found to be suffering from dermatitis caused by contact with urine and faeces."

Edwina Ashworth was unable to attend court. Her solicitor, Lisa Turner, said her doctor had advised that a problem with blood pressure meant she should not attend.

The case was adjourned to Bridlington Magistrates on November 4.

Afterwards RSPCA inspector Geoff Edmond said: "This is one of the worst cases the RSPCA has had to deal with in the area."

Rachel Ashworth declined to comment, other than to say that another side of the story was yet to emerge.

Updated: 09:38 Saturday, October 08, 2005