THREE men were arrested in Brierley Hill after the RSPCA found a "large number of animals in a state of neglect and malnourishment."

The men were arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty at a property on Pedmore Road near the Merry Hill shopping centre.

West Midlands Police said a large number of animals were found at the property when police attended on Thursday night (July 29).

The animals included dogs, chickens and horses.

Some animals were removed on Thursday, but both police and the RSPCA returned to the scene on Friday (July 30) when more animals were taken from the property.

Multiple police and RSPCA vehicles were at the scene.

The three men arrested are aged 44, 30 and 20.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: “We have arrested three men, aged 44, 30 and 20, on suspicion of animal cruelty from a property on Pedmore Road, Brierley Hill.

“The RSPCA are dealing with a large number of animals found at the property in a state of neglect and malnourishment.”

An RSPCA spokesperson said: “West Midlands Police requested our assistance at a property in Brierley Hill on Thursday night (29 July) and a number of animals were removed by officers and are now in our care.

"We returned to the address on Friday (30 July) to work with police and remove further animals.

“Enquiries are ongoing so we won’t be releasing any further information at this time.”