Five people, who were first arrested two years ago on suspicion of animal cruelty at kennels in Wormelow, have appeared in court.

Three men, aged 38, 39 and 40 and two women, aged 29 and 54, were summonsed to court on Tuesday, May 15th to face multiple charges of animal cruelty.

Detective Inspector Jonathan Roberts, of West Mercia Police, said: “This follows a complex investigation in South Herefordshire. Cases of animal cruelty are treated very seriously by West Mercia Police and we actively seek to protect animals from cruelty and to prevent their suffering.”

The five, who appeared at Birmingham Magistrates Court, have been released on unconditional bail.

The five charged are: Paul Oliver of Lincolnshire; Hannah Rose of Lincolnshire; Julie Elmore of Abergavenny; Nathan Parry of Abergavenny and Paul Reece of Chepstow.

Oliver, Rose, Elmore and Parry have been charged with four counts of animal cruelty, while Reece has been charged with two counts of animal cruelty. They did not enter pleas and will next appear in court on June 19th.