Director steps down after police raid Norfolk rescue centre and euthanise animals

The director of a wildlife sanctuary has stepped down after it was raided by police over animal welfare concerns.

Officers carried out a joint operation with the RSPCA at Hallswood Animal Sanctuary in Stratton Strawless, Norfolk, on Monday.

Some animals were seized under the Animal Welfare Act, which gives inspectors the power to intervene when they are suffering or living in distressing circumstances. After being assessed by specialist vets, some were put down.

Staff at the sanctuary told ITV News Anglia that they were heartbroken.

One worker, Nirvana Box, said: "There are probably about 1,500 to 2,000 animals that live here. We love them, we feed them, we care for them, we clean them. "There are hedgehogs, ferrets, cockerels, cats - everything that no one else wants, that other rescue centres would take in or otherwise would be euthanised.

"We've rehabilitated, released and rehomed so many animals and to think this is happening is absolutely heartbreaking and devastating."

Police did not make any arrests, but the sanctuary has been closed and cannot take in any new animals.

A statement on the sanctuary's Facebook page said: "In response to the active police investigation, we have appointed a new management team, and they will be working closely with the RSPCA going forward.

"Lyz Hall, the current Director at Hallswood Animal Sanctuary, will be stepping aside and will not be involved with the organisation in the future."

Hallswood has been rescuing and rehabilitating animals since 1996. It is a not-for-profit organisation, with several fundraising shops.

Rachael Williams, who has worked at Hallswood for several years, said: "Lyz has released and helped thousands and thousands of animals - got the animals back into the wild or rehomed into loving homes. She's absolutely devastated. We all are."All the animals here were loved and well looked after and they all had the right to live."

Another worker, Ash Marshall, said: "You just never think this would happen. I've been here for three years now and the things I've seen have just been amazing.

"A lot of the time it's just Lyz so for her to come in and realise this is happening is just unbelievable. She's 24/7. If that phone rings she's out there doing the best she can."

Norfolk Police said: "Officers were involved in an operation assisted by the RSPCA at Hallswood Animal Sanctuary in Statton Strawless on Monday, September 16 to seize a number of animals under section 18 of the Animal Welfare Act.

"Wild animals were also found on site, such as squirrels. Seizure of these animals is under the power of Section 26 of the Invasive Alien Species Order 2019. "The animals have been examined by specialist vets with some euthanised on welfare grounds, while others have been taken for ongoing assessment. "Police are investigating the circumstances around the matter."

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