ANIMAL welfare officers last night started to remove dogs from boarding kennels where they are thought to have been neglected.

About 70 dogs were found in filthy conditions at A1 Kennels and Cattery, in Brompton-on-Swale, near Catterick, North Yorkshire, on Thursday night, as The Northern Echo reported yesterday.

RSPCA inspectors were at the premises all day yesterday, cleaning the dogs and helping to reunite them with distressed owners.

Last night, 11 dogs remained. Another 40 breeding animals were still in the kennels.

It is believed the owner of the business has fallen ill.

RSPCA Chief Inspector Neil Mitchell said: "I don't really know what the situation is. Obviously, there has been some sort of family trauma.

"At the moment, our priority is to safeguard the welfare of the animals."

He said a number of the breeding dogs were being taken away to be cared for after veterinary advice.

A steady stream of worried owners visited the kennels throughout the day to retrieve their pets.

Tim Bishop, from Colburn, went to pick up his black Labrador, Rook, yesterday morning. He found the dog with sores on its legs and mouth.

"It was just a mess in there," he said. "It stunk. He is absolutely filthy.

"They had not been physically mistreated, they just hadn't been fed."

Dave Chapman from Colburn retrieved his three-year-old bichon frise Skip on Thursday night.

"He was covered in his own excrement," said Mr Chapman. "All he had to sleep on was an old cardigan that we left with him.

"It's just a shame, because we have never had a problem with the kennels before.

"Normally, there are four or five girls who work there, but I don't know where they are."

Police called in the RSPCA after someone reported seeing a stray dog near the A1 at Catterick yesterday afternoon.

Pet owners had been trying to contact the kennels by telephone, but could get no response.

The RSPCA said its investigation was at an early stage, but could not rule out a prosecution. Mr Mitchell said: "I can only put myself in the owners' position and it is very distressing. I wouldn't like to think my dog was in a situation that I wasn't happy with."

Owners are asked to contact the RSPCA on 0870 5555999.

The owner of the kennels could not be contacted for comment yesterday.