A MAN is being interviewed by police and RSPCA inspectors after a warrant issued for an address in Bacup.

The man was arrested yesterday morning at an address in the Todmorden Road area on suspicion of animal cruelty and officers seized property.

Two dogs were also taken away from the property and are being held at an undisclosed location by the RSPCA.

The joint operation, aimed at preventing and detecting suspected offences of badger baiting, involved six police officers and four RSPCA inspectors.

It follows warrants executed in the Pendle area on April 25, when ten people were arrested on suspicion of causing suffering to animals.

The men, three from Barnoldswick and the other seven from Wigan and Leigh, have been released on police bail, pending further enquiries.

The operation followed a tip-off that a group were planning to visit the area to carry out a deer hunt and badger digging.

They were arrested at the site of a badger sett near Bracewell.

PS Andy Riley from Bacup Police said: "This is the second operation we've carried out in partnership with the RSPCA in as many weeks.

"Hopefully, our joint working will have prevented what could have been potentially devastating damage to local wildlife."

Chief Inspector Terry Spamer from the RSPCA's special operations unit said: "Wildlife crime is a problem for us and it can be very hard to detect.

"With this in mind, I would urge anyone information about wildlife crime to contact the RSPCA on 08705 555 999.

"Where we have sufficient information on suspected offenders, we will take action as demonstrated repeatedly over the past fortnight."