Adorable pictures released of stolen puppies recovered from van

Two puppies remain in the care of a veterinary surgery while the rest are healthy and being cared for in a secured kennel.

Between 30 and 40 puppies – including Border Collies, Beagles and Jack Russells - were recovered from a van as part of the arrest of a 24-year-old Durham man on suspicion of the theft of puppies over the weekend.

It followed a report to Gloucestershire Constabulary, which received a call about suspicious activity on Saturday, August 22, in the area of Charlton Kings, a village close to Cheltenham – 245 miles away from Durham.

Enquiries were conducted into the vehicle which was stopped on the M6 by officers at West Mercia Police before a 24-year-old man from Durham was arrested in connection with the incident.

He has since been released under investigation.

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