A man was arrested in Faringdon in connection with an England-wide probe into hunt groups, it has been reported.

The Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals led the investigation, which saw six men arrested and 22 dogs seized in a series of raids last week.

The charity told ITV News that the probe was focused on ‘alleged animal welfare and wildlife offences’. The investigation is understood to have concerned ‘terrier men’, employed by hunts to ‘flush out’ fox dens.

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The 22 dogs seized by police and RSPCA officers in Kent, Norfolk, Sussex and the Thames Valley were ‘mostly terriers and some lurcher dogs’, the charity said.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police told ITV that a 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal during a joint raid with the RSPCA in Faringdon.

“He has been released with no further action but the RSPCA investigation is ongoing. Officers also seized three dogs and placed them into the RSPCA’s care,” the police said.

The British Hounds Sports Association, a representative body for hunting groups, said: “We expect the highest standards of animal welfare from all of our members and accredited hunts at all times and would condemn any persons found to have ill-treated animals.”

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This story was written by Tom Seaward. He joined the team in 2021 as Oxfordshire's court and crime reporter.  

To get in touch with him email: Tom.Seaward@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @t_seaward