Five animal keepers from Redbourn have pleaded not guilty to more than 30 offences against animals.
Michael Morley, Stephen Parkin, Edward Smith, Patrick Smith and Julie Smith all pleaded not guilty to the charges at a hearing at Watford Magistrates' Court on Monday.
Morley, 37, of Hemel Hempstead Road, is charged with 19 offences of causing unnecessary suffering to 18 separate dogs and one offence of failing to meet the welfare needs of 42 dogs.
Parkin, 55, of Hemel Hempstead Road, is charged with 13 offences of causing unnecessary suffering to one horse by failing to ensure it received appropriate foot care, causing unnecessary suffering to three horses by failing to provide a suitable environment, failing to provide a suitable environment for 21 horses, causing unnecessary suffering to eight goats by failing to treat their overgrown feet and failing to prevent the feet of a further seven goats from becoming overgrown.
Edward Smith, 62, Patrick Smith, 58, and Julie Smith, 59, all of Hemel Hempstead Road, are all charged with all of the above offences.
The next hearing will take place on July 2.
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