More than 60 dogs, horses, cats and sheep were seized by police and RSPCA officers at three locations across Lymington, Pennington and Sway.

MORE than 60 animals were seized when police raided sites across Pennington, Sway and Lymington over welfare concerns.

RSPCA officers helped police remove dogs, horses, cats and sheep last Thursday.

PC Sam Chapman, of the force’s Country Watch team, said it was a “tough day” for the teams, and thanked members of the public who had helped.

“I’d like to place on record our huge appreciation and thanks for all of those who have offered to help us, or simply came over to say ‘thank you’ for what we were doing,” he said.

“It was a tough day for all the officers involved, but your amazing support was absolutely vital and invaluable to all of us.

“I’d also like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding throughout the day. It was a long day, but people were extremely compassionate about the important work we were doing.

“All of this didn’t go unnoticed by any of us, so thank you.”

Pc Chapman said the operation was a “great example” of police and RSPCA officers working together to safeguard the health of animals.

“It was a brilliant multi-agency effort, with these animals at the very heart of all of our hard work, both leading up to the warrants and during the course of the day yesterday,” he said.

“That work, of course, doesn’t stop here and much more will be done to ensure these animals continue to be safeguarded going forward.”

The case is now under active investigation by the RSPCA.