Police were met with a shocking scene of dead and sick animals at Codicote's Cat Survival Trust, with images released after the sanctuary's boss was found guilty of animal cruelty.

Terrence Moore was was convicted of four charges of causing unnecessary suffering of an animal, and seven of using an animal species for commercial gain without a licence at St Albans Crown Court yesterday (May 20).

He was cleared of eight charges of causing unnecessary suffering of an animal and four of using an animal species for commercial gain without a licence.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Police found animal carcasses in frezzers. Police found animal carcasses in frezzers. (Image: Herts police)

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Lily, a Jungle Cat, was among the animals found dead.Lily, a Jungle Cat, was among the animals found dead. (Image: Herts police)

Welwyn Hatfield Times: The freezer where the bodies were found.The freezer where the bodies were found. (Image: Herts police)

Herts police have now released shocking images from inside the site, having first visited alongside a vet on July 27, 2022.

They found a number of animals suffering from various conditions, while the daily logs kept by volunteers to record feeding and care showed no appropriate treatment noted or obtained.

When police returned on April 13, 2023, they removed more than 20 animal carcasses from the freezers, including two animals observed the previous year.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Dirty drinking water for animals.Dirty drinking water for animals. (Image: Herts police)

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Omega, a female Snow Leopard, was among the animal used for commercial gain. Omega, a female Snow Leopard, was among the animal used for commercial gain. (Image: Herts police)

A post mortem examination of some of the bodies revealed they had died from various obvious diseases.

During the trial, prosecutor Charles Miskin described the sanctuary as a "shambles", and said that Moore had a "dogmatic dislike of modern veterinary medicine".

"It was messy and dirty, food preparation, storage and disposal was not hygienic, the housing of some animals was inadequate or insecure, and a large number of unvaccinated domestic cats were wandering around exposing the trust cats to risk of disease, especially as they themselves weren’t vaccinated," he said.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: One of the locks that was used to contain the big cats.One of the locks that was used to contain the big cats. (Image: Herts police)

Welwyn Hatfield Times: The food preparation area at Cat Survival Trust.The food preparation area at Cat Survival Trust. (Image: Herts police)

"Many dead animals were also being kept in freezers on site rather than being properly cremated.

"He neglected his basic duty of care towards some of these animals and caused the ones particularised unnecessary suffering, either though sheer neglect or through a dogmatic dislike of modern veterinary medicine or for financial reasons."

Moore, 77, is set to be sentenced on May 30, with recorder David Mayall saying he would ban him from keeping animals for five years once alternative arrangements have been made to home the 31 animals at the Codicote site.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Diary entries showing concerns about Hamish's health, but no treatments.Diary entries showing concerns about Hamish's health, but no treatments. (Image: Herts police)

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Further entries about Hamish.Further entries about Hamish. (Image: Herts police)

He will also be ordered to pay fines totalling £10,000.

Mr Moore shook his head in the dock as the judge said: "The time has come when you should cease caring for these animals. Their welfare should be passed on to other persons.

"It will end your decades long involvement with these animals. You had had considerable achievements in your life’s work but the time has come when that has to stop."

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Inside the office at Cat Survival Trust.Inside the office at Cat Survival Trust. (Image: Herts police)