SOLICITORS for the owner of a farm where 111 animals were seized demanded in the High Court today that 29 Shetland ponies and donkeys be returned to him.

Jamie Gray's legal representatives accused the RSPCA of deliberately defying a court order which last week said the animals should be returned.

More than 100 animals were removed from Spindles Farm, Hyde Heath by the charity in January. A further 32 were found dead.

Today the court was told the RSPCA had not complied with an order made by Oxford magistrates last week.

Last Friday District Judge Sandeep Kainth said the animals were 'never in any danger' and ordered the animals be returned.

Mr Gray's legal team today tried to get an injunction against the RSPCA requiring the animals be given back immediately - but the court refused.

However, Mr Justice Wyn Williams, said of the animals' return: "It has become the stance of the RSPCA, as I understand it, that they do not wish to do so".

The charity is planning a High Court appear against the order made in Oxford and argues it should look after the animals until this is resolved.

But Mr Gray's barrister, Philip Williams, said the RSPCA were in 'willing breach' of the order.

It was 'simply wrong' and a 'misinterpretation of the law'.

Mr Williams also remarked on the enormous media attention the case has raised and said that the family's legal costs bills were rising an an 'exorbitant rate'.

Yet Mr Justice Wyn Williams said the district judge was in the best position to decide how his order should be enforced.

The case should be re-listed before the District Judge 'as quickly as possible'.

The animals that have not been ordered to return to Mr Gray will be sold at a farmers' market in Warwickshire on May 3.

The RSPCA is pursuing a separate case against Mr Gray over alleged mistreatment of animals at the farm.