THREE men have been arrested in Rossendale on suspicion of animal cruelty following a joint operation between Pennine police and the RSPCA designed to tackle suspected badger baiting.

The three men, a 63-year-old from Whitworth, a 57-year-old from Harrogate and a 43-year-old from Nelson, were arrested following the execution of a police warrant at an address in Whitworth.

The warrant was executed as part of Operation Imperial and involved six RSPCA staff and around 20 police officers.

The arrests are the third set of badger baiting related arrests this year in the Pennine area; 11 people have already been dealt with by officers following similar operations in Rossendale and Pendle.

The three men have been released on police bail and 10 dogs which were seized have been taken to an undisclosed location.

Inflicting pain or suffering on an animal is an offence under the 1911 Protection of Animals Act carrying a maximum penalty of six months imprisonment and/or up to a £5,000 fine.

Sgt Andy Riley, of Bacup police, said: "This is the third operation we've carried out in partnership with the RSPCA to crack down on offences of this nature.

"We hope that this, and earlier operations, will go some way to helping prevent any further incidents of badger baiting and the devastating effect it can have on local wildlife."

Anyone with information about wildlife crime is asked to contact the RSPCA on 08705 555 999.