More than 80 dogs rescued after raid on suspected puppy-stealing gang

Six people were arrested after officers raided a location in Ipswich
Six people were arrested after officers raided a location in Ipswich (Picture: East Anglia News Service)

Police have rescued more than 80 dogs who are suspected to have been stolen.

They are now trying to track down the owners by checking for microchips in the pets – and believe many of them could have come from outside the area.

Six people were arrested after officers raided a location in Ipswich on Saturday.

In a statement, police said they were at the site for almost 10 hours as they ‘conducted thorough searches and recovered 83 dogs of various breeds and ages, which are suspected to be have been stolen’.

Those arrested were a 38-year-old man, two 34-year-old men and three women aged 46, 41 and 35 – who are all from Ipswich.

They were detained on suspicion of conspiracy to steal and taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning.
Police swooped on the West Meadows site in Ipswich, Suffolk (Picture: East Anglia News Service)
ne of the 83 dogs which were seized in the raid (Picture: East Anglia News Service)

All have subsequently been released on bail until April 16 pending further enquiries.

Police said: ‘This work is ongoing and will involve liaison with other police forces, as many of the dogs are suspected to have been stolen from outside of Suffolk.

Pitter patter. A large breed dog’s resting heart beats between 60 and 100 times per minute, and a small dog breed’s heart beats between 100-140. Comparatively, a resting human heart beats 60-100 times per minute.

‘Detectives would like to reassure all those people who have contacted Suffolk Police today to enquire as to whether their dog has been recovered, that everyone’s call or email will be acknowledged if it has not been already.

‘Officers are aware that many people will be anxious to know if their dog has been recovered and politely ask for victims to bear with them as they expedite these enquiries.’

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