DOZENS of animals were last night in RSPCA care following a major operation at a North-East sanctuary.

Police and RSPCA inspectors spent yesterday loading the animals into vans after securing a search warrant for the site.

Officers from Cleveland Police acted on a tip-off to secure the warrant under the Countryside and Wildlife Act.

A special police wildlife officer, a vet and seven RSPCA inspectors were involved in the operation, at the Hope Animal Sanctuary, in Loftus, east Cleveland.

RSPCA spokeswoman Heather Holmes said investigations were under way into allegations under the Protection of Animals Act, the Countryside and Wildlife Act, the Vet Surgeons Act and under Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) regulations.

The animals seized included 23 ducks, five chickens, six hens, two geese, one jackdaw, two macaws, two doves, two budgies, quails, pigeons, two parrots, two skunks, seagulls, one dog, a tortoise and a hedgehog.

A number of dead animals were also recovered from the property including a degu, a finch, a mouse, three owls, two tortoise, a seagull, a heron and a dog.

Mrs Holmes said yesterday: "We have inspectors and animal collection officers working jointly with the police.

"As yet there has been no decision made on who will be leading the investigation - it is a joint partnership.

"The owners of the property are co-operating."

A Cleveland Police spokesman said: "An investigation is under way into a number of alleged offences under the Protection of Animals Act.

"A number of animals and birds are to be removed from the site and will be taken to RSPCA shelters."

The animals were last night being cared for at RSPCA sanctuaries across the region.

The owner of the refuge, Cliff Spedding, told The Northern Echo: "I have no idea what is going on. It is something to do with the wild animals.

"I just take them in when people ring up."

Mr Spedding is well known in the community for his sanctuary at Loftus Bank, where he looks after stray and abandoned animals.

As officers swooped on the property yesterday, friends of Mr Spedding rallied round to show their support to the animal lover, who has run the sanctuary for more than 20 years.