BRITAIN: Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) officers have rescued 244 dogs, 16 parrots, seven cats, a rabbit and a chinchilla from a single three-bedroomed house.
The house is owned by a middle-aged couple in Carnforth, Lancashire, and the 269 animals were crammed into all parts - including the loft and basement.
The RSPCA said: "This is the largest seizure of animals in our history. It is huge." It took 26 staff members two days to clear out the animals from the house.
The local council's environmental health officers have also visited the property.
Some animals needed the attention of two vets, brought in by the charity to check the animals over. The couple who own the house have been interviewed by RSPCA inspectors.
The haul of dogs included shih-tzus, dachshunds, lhasa apsos, bearded collies, corgis, chihuahuas, poodles, Pekinese and Yorkshire terriers.
The birds included a macaw, an Amazonian parrot and an African Grey. All the animals have been taken to various RSPCA animal centres across the country.