MORE than 75 dogs were seized from a travellers site in Aveley after police executed a warrant.

Officers stormed the Ship Lane site on Friday morning, making three arrests and seizing more than 80 animals, including five cats, a bird and a horse.

Cannabis plants were also found at the site during the raid, which was carried out by Essex Police and the RSPCA.

A 36-year-old man from Broxbourne, Herts, a 61-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman, both from Aveley, were arrested on suspicion of possession of cannabis after some plants, believed to be the drug, were discovered. 

They were also arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty offences being investigated by the RSCPA.

All three have been released on bail until December 15.

One of the officers involved, PC Leigh Munden, tweeted: "Good work today with OSG & partner agency in Thurrock, 75 dogs 5 cats a bird & a horse were recovered and a cannabis cultivation was found."