POLICE and RSPCA officers mounted a series of raids in Teignbridge which led to 17 dogs being seized and four people arrested.

Operation Judy was mounted to target incidents of animal cruelty and specifically tackle dog fights and using dogs to fight wild animals.

The joint operation between police, the RSPCA's special operations unit, environmental health and trading standards executed warrants at five addresses in the Chudleigh and Ashburton areas under the Animal Cruelty Act on Wednesday morning.