THE biggest ever seizure of animals from a single house has been made by the RSPCA - 244 dogs and a menagerie of other animals.

A team of officers from the charity used a dozen vans to remove the pets from the small detached house.

About 50 of the animals are being cared for at the RSPCA sanctuary at Great Ayton, near Middlesbrough, where the sudden influx has put pressure on resources.

The dogs - including shihtzus, dachshunds, Lhasa apsos, bearded collies and a corgi - were taken from the house in the village of Silverdale, Lancashire.

Also taken into the RSPCA's care were 16 birds - including macaws, African grey parrots and Amazon parrots - plus five cats, two kittens, a rabbit and a chinchilla.

An RSPCA spokeswoman said: "This is the biggest number of animals taken from one property ever by the RSPCA.

"We have come across a number of cases where we have taken away large numbers of animals and, sadly, it is on the increase.

"If people can't cope then we should always be the first point of contact because we can help at a much earlier stage."

It is thought the animals belonged to a couple in their 50s, who are in the process of signing over ownership to the RSPCA.

The pets have to be assessed by vets before they can be re-housed or moved to other sanctuaries around the country.

The spokeswoman added: "Keeping dogs is an expensive thing. It does cost money to house them at our centres and vets' bills are never cheap.

"We would ask for members of the public to donate to local centres and help the RSPCA. We would urge members of the public to donate food or blankets and funds to centres."

A spokeswoman at the Great Ayton sanctuary said: "It has put us under a lot of pressure and we are enlisting volunteers to give us a hand."

Regional press officer Heather Holmes said: "The animals have been split between RSPCA centres throughout the country."