TWO men are today being interviewed by Police and RSCPCA officials following a series of early morning raids in Colne this morning.
The men, aged 23 and 48, were arrested after police raided homes in Hawley Street and Duke Street and are being questioned on suspicion of animal cruelty.
A number of items were seized during the raids, including three lurchers, two terriers and a cross breed lurcher/bull terrier, computers, mobile phones, cash and drugs paraphernalia. The dogs have been handed over to the RSPCA for examination by a vet.
The joint operation by the police and the RSPCA follows a 12-month investigation into animal cruelty and wildlife crime including badger digging, deer poaching, hare coursing and offences under the Dangerous Dogs Act where police have received information about their pets being targeted by dogs in the area.
The operation also involved officers and RSPCA inspectors visiting several addresses in Colne to warn targets about the action the police and RSPCA are taking in relation to these types of crimes and activity, encouraging them to check on the welfare on their animals.
Lancashire Constabulary’s wildlife crime officer Mark Thomas said: “As with many other wildlife offences, cruelty to animals can be linked to a number of other offences. We work closely with the RSPCA to crack down on those believed to be involved in organising deliberate expeditions to hunt, take or injure badgers and other wildlife within Lancashire area.
“I want to reassure members of the public that any reports of animal cruelty and wildlife crime will be looked in to and taken very seriously by the police and RSPCA.
“We need continued support from the public and I’d ask anyone who has information about wildlife crime or animal cruelty to contact us.”
Sergeant for Colne neighbourhood police team Kim De Curtis added: “Today we have also visited the homes of a number of people believed to be connected to this type of offence to warn them about behaviour and check on the welfare of their animals.
“We will not tolerate animal cruelty and the deliberate targeting of domestic and wild animals. The residents of Colne can be assured we take these matters seriously and will continue to use all powers available to us to arrest those involved and, where necessary, seize dogs and vehicles.”
Chief Insp. Ian Briggs, of the RSPCA’s special operations unit, added: “Deliberate animal cruelty is a blight on society and we are determined to fight it. We have worked alongside Lancashire Police today in a bid to crack down on allegations of serious animal abuse in the region.
“We urge anybody who has suspicions of animal cruelty, or who thinks they could help with our inquiries, to contact the RSPCA or police in confidence.
“Hopefully today’s operation sends out the message that animal cruelty will not be tolerated and we take such allegations extremely seriously.”
Anyone with information can contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency always dial 999.