[Animals] Ongoing investigation as '250 animals' are removed from Devon farm

[FazzNoth]

Lanes around a farm in Devon have been blocked for three days following an RSPCA investigation which has led to the removal of more than 250 horses, sheep, pigs, goats, guinea pigs, rabbits and cows, according to reports. Police and Trading Standards officers arrived to support the RSPCA.

Neighbours report that smaller animals were removed on the first day of the joint operation. Today, neighbours reported "a whole fleet" of animal transport lorries, horseboxes and animal trailers which have been removing larger livestock including around 100 horses and ponies. Devon and Cornwall Police and Devon Trading Standards both confirmed that the RSPCA is the lead agency in the investigation at the farm.

 

Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Police remain at a farm in the Chulmleigh area of North Devon. We are there to support our partners from the RSPCA and an animal welfare charity, as part of an ongoing investigation linked to the area.

“Our role is to keep the peace, and at this time no arrests have been made in connection to said on-going investigation. Police are unable to comment further at this time."

Horseboxes and animal transport lorries have blocked the circular roads around the farm and police have returned on a number of occasions over the three days. A neighbour said: "The police, the RSPCA and Trading Standards have been at the property for three days and are removing livestock. There's 250 animals which have been removed. The roads were blocked with horseboxes and big animal lorries yesterday. I have been talking to the RSPCA and Trading Standards officers who said they have come to take the animals away and they say the animals will never be coming back. There's in the region of 100 horses and ponies."

Today, three more large animal lorries were parked in lanes outside and horses were being seen removed. Neighbours report that police were in attendance for two days.

One neighbour said: "It's a sad thing that's happening." A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: “We’re grateful to people who report their concerns to us but we cannot comment any further as we are unable to discuss ongoing enquiries about specific individuals and what action may be taken. We understand how frustrating that is for animal lovers but releasing information could prejudice a future investigation or could lead to us being fined.”

https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/ongoing-investigation-250-animals-removed-6850930