A SECOND raid on property used by the bosses of a Rishton pet shop has revealed another 800 animals being kept in "appalling" conditions.

RSPCA inspectors took away nearly 400 rabbits and other rodents belonging to the owners of Creature Comforts in High Street, after finding the animals in sheds on an allotment off nearby Holt Street yesterday.

The raid came after more than 300 animals and several dead rodents were taken from a room above the shop earlier this week in the RSPCA's biggest investigation into a pet shop.

An appeal has now been made to find homes for the hundreds of animals, many of which are now being transported to RSPCA centres in other parts of the country.

Inspector Dean Astill-Dunseith said: "At the beginning of the week we found ourselves involved in the largest investigation into a pet shop that we have ever conducted and we hadn't imagined that we would discover more animals elsewhere. We found between 800 and 900 animals at the allotment in about 10 sheds. The conditions were appalling.

"The animals were living in overcrowded and dark conditions, faeces was piled up in their cages and they had no fresh food or water." About 150 rabbits, 170 guinea pigs, 90 rats and 51 mice were removed.

Mr Astill-Dunseith said: "We have put out an appeal to all animal homes in the country to take the animals. Many were initially taken to the centre at Altham where they were cleaned, sexed and health checks carried out. Some had to be put down.

"We have shipped the animals out to Birmingham, Brighton, Newcastle and numerous other places.

"We desperately need caring new homes for these animals and are appealing to the public for help.

"Many of our animal centres are already filled to capacity with unwanted and rescued animals which need new homes and, as a result, we are struggling find accommodation for them all."

Homes are needed for various animals, including rats, mice, hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits.

For further information telephone the Altham centre on 01254 231118 or the national pet shop rescue hotline on 0839 662200.

Proprietors Kelvin Kirby and Neil Hacking were arrested and questioned by police and RSPCA officers.

They were later released on police bail without charge until June 17.

The owners said today their own veterinary surgeon had visited the sheds and could not find any unhealthy animals.

Mr Hacking said: "We were behind with the general cleaning up. We also have poultry, goats, dogs and hamsters at the allotment and the RSPCA are quite happy with them."

"The RSPCA seems to be concerned that we had too much livestock and have now left us with enough to cope with."

"We signed the animals over to the RSPCA."

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