Man arrested on suspicion of stealing up to 40 puppies near Cheltenham

Between 30 and 40 puppies were recovered from the van in Charlton Kings near Cheltenham. Credit: Gloucestershire Live

A 24-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of stealing up to 40 puppies after police stopped a van on the M6.

Police were called to Beeches Road in Charlton Kings on the afternoon of Saturday 22 August after reports that a man was seen loading a number of puppies into a van. 

Between 30 and 40 puppies were recovered from the van and have been taken to an RSPCA vet surgery for assessment. 

The puppies were beagles, border collies and jack russells. Credit: Gloucestershire Live

Officers from Gloucestershire Police liaised with colleagues at West Mercia Police who stopped the van on the motorway.

The 24-year-old man from Durham was then arrested on suspicion of the theft of puppies. He has now been released under investigation.

Officers are asking anyone who has information to call 101 quoting incident 237 of 22 August.