EIGHT people appeared in court yesterday accused of a string of animal welfare charges at an Oxfordshire animal rescue centre.
Among those appearing at Oxford Magistrates’ Court were six members of the Russell family of Longworth, who are facing prosecution by the RSPCA.
The family live at Weybread Cottage in Faringdon Road, Longworth, the base of Crunchy’s Animal Rescue.
Angela Russell, 44, Frederick Russell, 81, Kirsty Russell, 20, Louise Russell, 22, Peter Russell, 40, and Robert Russell, 24, all face 11 charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and five charges of failing to meet the welfare needs of 16 dogs, five horses, 13 rabbits, four puppies and two goats.
Abigail McHugh, 20, of Pendennis Road, Freshbook, Swindon, and 34-year-old Daniel Bunyan of The Court, Abingdon, were also accused of the same offences.
Around 15 people sat in the public gallery to watch the hearing.
The charges come following a raid on the animal rescue centre in January last year.
At a previous hearing on August 10 last year the eight denied the offences.
District Judge Tim Pattinson offered unconditional bail to all before their next appearance at Bicester Magistrates’ Court on Monday, April 15.
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