An RSPCA inspector has confirmed that 22 dogs were taken when the charity and police raided a house near Chippenham carried out a rescue operation after allegations of cruelty.

Officers used a search warrant to gain entry into Oak Tree Farm in Stanton Lane, Kington St Michael, shortly before 5pm yesterday.

RSPCA spokesperson Jo Barr, said: "I can confirm that we removed a total of 22 dogs from the property just outside Chippenham yesterday afternoon.

"An additional dog was also removed to keep its sibling company.

"The dogs are now undergoing further examinations to determine the welfare of the animals.

"The dogs were a variety of different breeds and ages.

"I can also confirm that the Environment Agency is also involved with the case now.

"We were alerted over concerns of the conditions the dogs were living in, but, as the investigation is still ongoing, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further."

A number of RSPCA vans pulled up outside the property to take the dogs away from the premises.

advertisement Early reports indicate that the dogs had been kept in squalid conditions.

Before the police raid, special animal cruelty officers had been called in to investigate the case.

The farm is on a residential gypsy site and the owners had applied for planning permission earlier this year to use the land to breed and kennel dogs.