ANIMAL welfare officers have found the badly decomposed bodies of five ferrets at a house in Accrington following concern about animals being kept there.

The RSPCA also took five dogs from the house, in West Crescent, after they were called by Hyndburn dog warden Steve Wood.

Mr Wood became concerned after he discovered four dogs and the rotting carcasses in kennels in the garden.

Hyndburn Council confirmed it had served eviction notice on one of its tenants in the house but nobody was in the house when the RSPCA searched the premises, accompanied by police and council officials. The garden was littered with dog excrement, bottles, cans and debris. Another dog was discovered inside the house after Mr Wood spotted cages inside and became concerned that there may be animals in them.

The dogs, said to be in relatively good condition, will be examined by a vet before a decision is taken on whether to prosecute the owner.

But the bodies of the ferrets are so badly decomposed the RSPCA say it would be impossible to conduct a post mortem examination on them to attempt a prosecution.

RSPCA Inspector David Anforth said: "There is absolutely no flesh on them so we can't prosecute. They are all totally decomposed and dried out.

"They must have been there months. The dogs seem to be in good condition so we may only be able to pursue the owner for abandonment and that's looking unlikely because someone said he was here yesterday."

"We have no options. We can't prove he's abandoned them."

If the RSPCA does prosecute for abandonment, the owner could face a £5,000 fine per animal and/or six months prison per animal.

Tony Akrigg, Hyndburn Council's environmental protection officer, said: "This is one of the worst cases of filthy premises I have seen in my career. The outside is disgusting."

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "I have been really concerned for the animals because I have heard them crying.

" Many days I have had to go out. Hearing them crying, it's awful. It's been going on a long time."