Police issue images of 48 dogs rescued from traveller camp in Suffolk to reunite them with owners


Identity paw-ade! Police issue images of 48 dogs rescued from traveller camp in Suffolk in a bid to reunite them with owners who could be anywhere in the UK

  • More than 80 animals were seized last month after raids on Travellers’ site 
  • Suffolk Police said work is ongoing to identify the owners as no dogs claimed yet
  • Six people arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to steal in connection to case

Photographs of 48 dogs who are suspected stolen have been released by police, desperate to reunite their owners.

More than 80 animals were seized last month when officers investigating a series of pet thefts raided a Travellers’ site on the outskirts of Ipswich.

Suffolk Police said work is ongoing to identify the owners, but due to a lack of identifying features and information the process has proved ‘challenging’.

Six people were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to steal in connection with the operation

Six people were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to steal in connection with the operation

During the last few weeks officers have been liaising with other police forces around the country, as well as conducting a number of other inquiries, in order to establish where the dogs may have originated from

During the last few weeks officers have been liaising with other police forces around the country, as well as conducting a number of other inquiries, in order to establish where the dogs may have originated from

Detective Chief Inspector Nicola Wallace, senior investigating officer for the operation, said: 'We are keen to hear from anyone who believes any of the dogs in the images may be theirs'

Detective Chief Inspector Nicola Wallace, senior investigating officer for the operation, said: ‘We are keen to hear from anyone who believes any of the dogs in the images may be theirs’

The force said that none of the 83 dogs, of various breeds and ages, have yet been reunited with their owners.

Detective Chief Inspector Nicola Wallace, senior investigating officer for the operation, said: ‘We are keen to hear from anyone who believes any of the dogs in the images may be theirs.

‘During the last few weeks officers have been liaising with other police forces around the country, as well as conducting a number of other inquiries, in order to establish where the dogs may have originated from.’

Six people were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to steal in connection with the operation.

A 39-year-old man, a 34-year-old man and two women aged 41 and 46 have been bailed until June 17.

A second 34-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman have both been released and will face no further action.

A 39-year-old man, a 34-year-old man and two women aged 41 and 46 have been bailed until June 17

A 39-year-old man, a 34-year-old man and two women aged 41 and 46 have been bailed until June 17

A second 34-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman have both been released and will face no further action

A second 34-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman have both been released and will face no further action

The dogs in the gallery include French bulldogs, cocker and springer spaniels, dachshunds and whippets, and could have come from anywhere in the UK

The dogs in the gallery include French bulldogs, cocker and springer spaniels, dachshunds and whippets, and could have come from anywhere in the UK

Suffolk.Police have so far not been able to reunite any of the dogs with their owners with efforts apparently hampered by many of them not having identification microchips.It is thought that some may have had microchips cut out

Suffolk.Police have so far not been able to reunite any of the dogs with their owners with efforts apparently hampered by many of them not having identification microchips.It is thought that some may have had microchips cut out

The dogs were among 83 pets recovered on April 20 when dozens of police officers raided the West Meadows travellers site in Ipswich, Suffolk

The dogs were among 83 pets recovered on April 20 when dozens of police officers raided the West Meadows travellers site in Ipswich, Suffolk

Anyone who believes that one or more of the dogs is theirs is asked to email police with proof of ownership at [email protected]

They are asked to do so by May 24 providing a full name, contact details and the image number which relates to the dog, or dogs, in question.

Police stressed that owners should only make contact via the email address, and must not contact the force’s contact and control room on 999 or 101.

Proof of ownership can include vet records clearly identifying the dog, or photos of distinctive markings.

The dogs either do not have microchips or have chips which appear to be incorrectly registered, but owners can contact police with further details on microchipping.

Other photos of the dog which prove ownership, purchase details or records of reporting a dog as lost or stolen to police or charities can also be submitted. 

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