Hallswood Animal Sanctuary urgent appeal after raid

Hallswood Animal Sanctuary, which already has more than 1,000 animals under its care, has been given a verbal green light by authorities to continue rehoming unwanted creatures. 

The site in Stratton Strawless near Horsford was raided by officers and the RSPCA last month after concerns were raised about animal welfare.

Hallswood Animal Sanctuary, in Stratton Strawless, near Horsford (Image: Sonya Duncan, Newsquest)

During the operation a number of animals were taken away for ongoing medical assessment and some were put down on site.

The incident caused former director, Lyz Hall, to step down and forced the sanctuary to revamp its practice.

But workers at the rescue centre have refused to say what changes have been made and when our reporter asked for access to the site he was denied entry.

The sanctuary said the police and RSPCA confirmed verbally it can begin to rehome and take in animals/wildlife again (Image: Sonya Duncan, Newsquest)

Despite the past issues, the sanctuary is planning to start taking in animals again but says it will not go ahead until it receives written confirmation from the police and RSPCA. 

A statement, released by the sanctuary last week, said: "The Police and RSPCA have recently confirmed verbally that we can rehome animals and take in wildlife.

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"We currently have more than 1000 animals in our care which are either living at the sanctuary, or in short-term, or long-term foster homes.

The sanctuary takes in a range of animals such as horses, donkeys, dogs, cats and rabbits (Image: Sonya Duncan, Newsquest)

"We urgently need your support now to help pay for feed, bedding, veterinary bills, routine medication and fuel for our generator this winter."

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The sanctuary added that while it is reviewing its business practices and shaking up its management structure, former director "Lyz Hall has not been charged with any wrongdoing".

Police confirmed: "Investigations are under way into whether any criminal offences have been committed."

The sanctuary added that it would be releasing a further statement later in the week.

Police confirmed investigations are underway into whether any criminal offences have been committed after the raid (Image: Sonya Duncan, Newsquest)