A HUDDERSFIELD woman went on holiday to a sunshine isle – and left 95 dogs behind without food or water.

Most were St Bernards who were discovered by RSPCA inspectors who raided Mary Collis’ kennels while she was away.

Now the bankrupt, who lives in Denby Dale, has been warned she could face a jail sentence when she admitted dog cruelty charges at Corby Magistrates’ Court.

Collis, of Denby Lane, Upper Denby, used to run Wardana Kennels in Northamptonshire.

She left the dogs with no-one looking after them while she jetted off abroad – one later died and another was put down. Many others were found to be suffering badly.

Most have now been re-homed.

Later this month Collis will be sentenced for animal cruelty after pleading guilty to abandoning the dogs so she could go on holiday to the Canary Islands.

An RSPCA spokesman told the court that at the end of November last year a worried dog owner called police after visiting the kennels and seeing that no-one was looking after the dogs.

Collis, 51, who once owned a Crufts winner, had gone on a holiday to Tenerife.

Many of the dogs she had left were St Bernards ranging from nine weeks to eight-years-old.

Inspectors found dogs with their coats soaked in urine and matted with their own faeces.

And 48 dogs were found between 20% and 30% below their normal healthy weight.

The RSPCA said nine puppies were being kept in a separate pen outside with no food or water.

Heat lamps were installed, but they were not switched on.

Thirteen of the dogs were found in the kitchen of the house connected to the kennels – they had not been left any food.

When they were discovered, 85 of the St Bernards were suffering from medical problems like abscesses, ulcerated skin and eye conditions and ear infections which had not been treated.

One dog could not stand and was suffering from dehydration.

It had several open sores on its legs and feet caused by pressure and urine scalds.

Another was in such a bad state the vet had to put it down.

One dog went blind and another died overnight after suffering a heart attack at the veterinary surgery.

In mitigation at Corby Magistrates’ court, Collis’ behaviour was described as "completely out of character" and the court heard how she had been involved in dog-breeding for 30 years without any previous problems.

Chairman of the bench, Dr Robin Pugsley said: "These offences were clearly intentional. We have set the level of seriousness at custody of 26 weeks."

The case has been adjourned for a pre-sentence report.

Collis will be sentenced on October 23.