An RSPCA inspector retched as he entered the stench of a filthy Fishguard house to examine cats and dogs.

Haverfordwest magistrates court heard on Monday that a local vet thought a couple living in Coronation Road were as much in need of rescuing as their two dogs and five cats when he was called to assist the RSPCA on July 6.

The RSPCA inspector described how the foul smelling house made him retch, as he was immediately hit by the smell of faeces and urine.

Michelle Lewis, 49, and Michael Rowland Sampson, 36, pleaded guilty to joint charges of causing unnecessary suffering to their animals by failing to provide a suitable living environment.

The pair also admitted two charges of not ensuring that the needs of the cats and dogs were met, by failing to address flea infestations and chronic skin conditions were treated adequately.

Video footage shown to the court revealed deep rubbish throughout the house, and faeces on a double bed. The bench heard that the conditions were believed to have existed for around six months.

The local vet was described as being “overwhelmed by a strong smell of ammonia and decomposition.”

He added that the whole house looked like a ‘death trap’, with a mat of ‘rotting excrement’ almost covering the floor, and bottles filled with what appeared to be urine.

The vet stated: “I had the impression that the house was totally unsuitable for animal habitation, let alone a human.

“I felt some sympathy for the occupants, as the house was so obviously unfit. I felt that they needed rescuing almost as much as the animals.”

Magistrates heard that Lewis had suffered from depression following the death of her mother, and the house had been cleaned, cleared and decorated following a visit from the environmental health department.

Mike Kelleher, defending, said that the unemployed pair had suffered various problems at the house, including burst pipes and an overflowing toilet, which they were struggling to cope with due to their limited income.

“The property was in a terrible state. They both agree it was disgusting. The animals themselves were loved and the dogs were walked twice a day. They were fed and were an adequate weight.”

He added that the couple had sought advice to treat the dog’s skin conditions and hair loss, and had attempted to address it through changing the animals’ diet and shampoo.

“This was not a deliberate action of cruelty.”

The bench imposed a 12 month conditional discharge with a 15 day rehabilitation activity requirement, and made a deprivation order for all seven animals.

The pair were banned from keeping animals for five years and ordered to pay £315 each in costs and charges.