A CRUEL dog owner has admitted keeping his pets in soiled beds and serving them mouldy food.

RSPCA officers found the dogs living in squalor at Kieran Coady’s flat in Thyme Road, Tiptree, on February 25.

Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard the pets were a bull terrier named Bear and three bull terrier puppies, one called Zeah.

Mould had taken control amid dire conditions inside the flat, dominating the windows and walls.

Gazette: Dire conditions - the dogs were found in squalor inside a property in Thyme Road, TiptreeDire conditions - the dogs were found in squalor inside a property in Thyme Road, Tiptree (Image: Google)

A report served to the court stated there was “dog faeces everywhere, including in the dog beds” while the carpet was “soaked in urine”.

Officers found food in the dog bowls was mouldy and that they had been locked in the living room within the property.

Coady, 49, admitted four offences of failing to ensure the welfare of an animal when he appeared before the court.

During the hearing, Anna O’Brien, prosecuting told magistrates a woman walking her dog was attacked by dogs owned by Coady on December 4 last year.

Gazette: Hearing - Kieran Coady admitted a litany of offences at Colchester Magistrates' CourtHearing - Kieran Coady admitted a litany of offences at Colchester Magistrates' Court (Image: Newsquest)

Margaret Smith was out with her pet when it was attacked and hurt by a “dangerously out of control” female dog owned by the defendant.

During the frenzy a separate male dog belonging to Coady set upon Ms Smith, causing her to sustain injuries.

Coady admitted two offences of being an owner in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury during the court case.

Magistrates adjourned sentencing the 49-year-old until September 27 so a pre-sentence report can be prepared.

Gazette: Out of control - a stock image of a bull terrier Out of control - a stock image of a bull terrier (Image: Kate Bernotsky/Unsplash)

He was remanded on conditional bail and was banned from owning, controlling, walking or looking after any dogs until the hearing.

Coady, of Thyme Road, Tiptree, must also not have any dogs at his home address until further notice.

More dog bite wounds were treated in hospitals in north east Essex last year, the latest figures show.

NHS data shows there were about 55 episodes of patients being treated in hospital for dog bites in the former NHS North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group in the year to March 2023.

It represents a rise from 35 the year before.