A Millom man has been arrested and dogs have been seized by Cumbria Police and the RSPCA.

A dedicated team targeting rural and wildlife crime has conducted four warrants under the Animal Welfare Act and Wildlife and Countryside Act in Cumbria, on October 5.

The Rural Crime Team which launched last month supported by officers from Whitehaven and Barrow Neighbourhood Policing Teams, North and West Tactical Support, Dog Handler and the RSPCA carried out warrants in the area of Tay Court, Barrow and Devonshire Road, Millom.

A 25-year-old from Millom was subsequently arrested on suspicion of offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

During the arrest, police seized a number of dogs from two premises and placed them in the care of the RSPCA.

Wildlife Crime PC, Samantha O’Key emphasised the benefits of the partnership, saying they will continue to work together to help hold those to account who ’cause animals to suffer’.

She said: “Working in partnership with the RSPCA and other animal welfare agencies allows us to successfully carry out investigations into those that would cause animals to suffer, and we will continue to work in partnership to hold those individuals to account.

“We would encourage anyone with concerns for the welfare of animals to report it to police or the RSPCA, so we can investigate and bring those committing wildlife offences to account.”

Chief Inspector Ian Muttitt from the RSPCA, added: “The RSPCA Special Operations Unit, working alongside our uniformed colleagues continue to work alongside Cumbria Police rural crime team in pro actively investigating allegations of wildlife crime and animal cruelty.

“Yesterday’s warrants are another example of a longstanding partnership with Cumbria police in tackling allegations of these types of offences across Cumbria.”