Five arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty offences in Telford

Police carried out three warrants in the Arleston and Brookside areas along with HMRC and the RSPCA.

The warrants, relating to The Animal Welfare Act of 2006 were in response to a large number of reports relating to the commercial sale of high value, sick puppies to unsuspecting members of the public.

The operation resulted in the arrest of three men and two women and the removal of 56 puppies and dogs from two addresses. These are currently being cared for at specialist kennels in the West Midlands region.

Sergeant Dan Taylor of the Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT), North Telford, said: "This was an SNT led operation, with the assistance of the Local Policing Priority Team (LPPT) and the excellent support and specialist knowledge provided by staff of the RSPCA. Together we successfully removed 56 dogs/puppies that were suffering or likely to suffer, given the deplorable nature of the environment they were being kept in. The dogs and puppies will now be monitored and cared for by the RSPCA whilst the investigation continues."

Anyone with information relating to the sale of sick puppies in the Telford area is encouraged to contact the RSPCA, West Mercia Police or the Trading Standards Dept of Telford and Wrekin.