CARCASSES have been removed from the rescue centre near Abingdon at the centre of an animal welfare investigation, it emerged last night.

RSPCA officers yesterday continued to work at the centre – known as both Crunchy’s Animal Rescue and Crun-chies Rescue – at Wheybread Cottage in Faringdon Road, Longworth, four days after they originally moved in to seize 78 creatures.

One source said a member of the orginal rescue team was physically ill at the site, although the RSPCA has so far refused to give any details about the condition of the animals it seized.

Last night a spokesman from the RSPCA said it was called in by concerned members of the public regarding some animals’ welfare.

He added: “Seventy-eight animals were seized by Thames Valley Police into the care of the RSPCA between January 20 and 22. All are being cared for at RSPCA and private establishments.

“The bodies of a horse and a domestic rabbit were also removed.

“The animals included dogs, horses, goats, cats, chickens and ducks.”

Chrunchy’s is a registered charity and its description on the Charities Commission records says it provides “advice and assistance to people about caring for animals”.

The records also list its other functions as assisting in rehoming animals, giving educational talks to local children on wildlife and conservation matters and helping elderly or disabled people get treatment for their pets.

Angela Russell, listed as a contact for Crunchy’s, did not return calls from the Oxford Mail yesterday.

Police were present at the centre on Friday, but no-one has been arrested.

Another Oxfordshire animal charity said it had previously had concerns about Crunchy’s.

Kathy Clements, from Border Collie Spot Rescue, said she lodged a complaint of theft with the police after a dispute about a border collie dog called Toby.

He had gone missing and she said she traced him to the Faringdon Road house, via a website offering him for sale for £50.

But when she contacted Chrunchy’s she was told repeatedly that the dog they were selling was not Toby.

Ms Clements said the dog was sold but she traced him to the new owner.

And she said a microchip scan subsequently revealed the animal was Toby.

Yesterday Thames Valley Police confirmed that it had received reports of a stolen dog on January 11 last year but said that it could not comment further.