27 fighting dogs seized in search

Twenty-eight pit bull-type dogs were seized at the premises

Twenty-seven illegal fighting dogs have been seized from premises in County Armagh during a joint USPCA, police and Armagh City Council operation.

The pit bull-type dogs were seized at derelict farm buidlings on the Old Scarva Road near Tandragee.

It is understood the site contained pits thought to have been made for the dogs to fight in. No arrests were made.

The USPCA first searched the property after receiving a call from a member of the public.

David Wilson from the USPCA said there has been more awareness of the problem of illegal dogs since the new year.

"We've been fielding a lot of calls from concerned members of the public," Mr Wilson said.

"One of those calls led one of our welfare officers to an address in the Tandragee area yesterday evening and what he found resulted in him calling in the PSNI."

He said the premises were sealed for the night and a multi-agency operation involving the USPCA, the Armagh City and District Council dog warden and the PSNI was launched on Friday morning.

The council then obtained seizure warrants to remove the dogs from the property.

Police said a number of investigations into the circumstances surrounding the seizure were ongoing.

They have appealed for anyone with information to contact them at Armagh station on 0845 600 8000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.