Police have seized almost 60 animals including newborn puppies reported to have been kept in inadequate living conditions.

Sussex Police’s Rural Crime Team confiscated 54 dogs and two horses believed to have been kept in poor conditions with a variety of untreated medical conditions at an address in the parish of Hambrook, Chichester, West Sussex.

Officers, joined by the RSPCA and the local authority, carried out a warrant under the Animal Welfare Act on Tuesday, 18 April.

A search of the property saw the animals seized after a vet examined them at the scene and concluded they were not being adequately cared for.

A 57-year-old man will be interviewed voluntarily in connection with animal welfare offences in the next week as part of an ongoing investigation, the force said.

Sergeant Tom Carter from the Rural Crime Team said: “We seized a large quantity of dogs and two horses in a poor condition with a variety of untreated medical conditions.

“These are now being cared for while we carry out a thorough investigation.”

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Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said: “For many people, animals are a part of the family.

“This case highlights why a dedicated Rural Crime Team is so valuable in Sussex and is a good example of cross-agency and close partnership working.”