More than 35 dogs – including eight puppies – have been seized by police after officers raided an address near Colchester.

Officers executed a warrant at Langley Green, in Feering, shortly before 4pm on Friday, April 9 and found 37 dogs including eight puppies which were alive.

A further seven puppies were found dead and one dog had to be put down at the scene, a spokesman for Essex Police said.

Each of the remaining dogs were left in the care of the RSPCA.

The raid followed a joint operation between officers from local policing teams in Colchester and Braintree.

A 37-year-old woman from Feering was arrested on suspicion of offences against animals. She has been released under investigation.

The news comes following a spate of seizures in both Essex and Suffolk in recent weeks – with 83 suspected stolen dogs recovered by police in Ipswich following a raid at a travellers' site.

Essex Police has said the Feering seizures are not related to suspected thefts, however.

In Dunmow, 27 suspected stolen dogs were seized after Essex Police and RSPCA carried out a warrant on April 1.

Three people were arrested and later released under investigation.

Speaking after the Dunmow incident, PC Glenn Braden, from the Uttlesford Community Policing Team, said: “We know the devastation the loss of a much-loved pet can cause and we take reports of thefts seriously.

“We have been carrying out extensive enquiries into recent reports of thefts and this warrant comes as part of that.

“We are now working to identify the dogs we found at this address and, if stolen, identify their owner so we can return them.

“If you have any information about the theft of a dog then we need you to contact us.”

Speaking last month, assistant chief constable Rachel Nolan said Essex is not seeing a significant rise in dog-related incidents despite frequent posts shared on social media.

Those with information regarding any dog-related incidents can contact police on 101, or anonymously via charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.