20.11.13
Two people have been arrested on suspicion of a number of offences surrounding the sale of animals following a multi-agency investigation in Prestwich, Greater Manchester.
Uniformed RSPCA inspectors and officers from our special operations unit, along with Trading Standards officers from Salford City Council and Bury Council, as well as officers from Project Gulf at Greater Manchester Police, attended the property in Greenhill yesterday (Monday 18 November).
Approximately 40 dogs and puppies, including French bulldogs, English bulldogs and pugs, and eight cats and kittens, including Persian and sphinx types, were seized by police and are currently being examined by a vet.
A male and female were taken into custody and questioned on suspicion of animal welfare offences and licensing offences surrounding the sale of animals.
Monday’s operation, which has been named Operation Wolf, followed a number of complaints we had received.
Research where you are getting your animals from
Chief Inspector Ian Briggs, from our special operations unit, said:
“We take allegations of sick animals being sold extremely seriously. Animals suffering for the sake of profit is always a major concern to the RSPCA.
“This investigation is part of our ongoing work to stop people from profiting by selling sick animals.
“Our advice is always that people do some proper research about where they are getting their animal from when they go to buy a pet. Never let your heart rule your head.
“While people continue to fuel the trade, there will always be people out there happy to make money on the back of it.”
The animals are currently in our care pending further investigation, and are not currently available for rehoming.
Find out more about our prosecution work and read some more examples of the types of cases we deal with.
We can’t do it without you
The RSPCA relies on generous donations from the public to be able to investigate such cases as this.
To help the RSPCA carry out this vital work please donate online or text HERO to 88010 to give £3 (texts cost £3 + one standard network rate message).