Animal welfare officers swooped on a North Yorkshire travellers' encampment and took away a horse and a greyhound.

RSPCA inspectors and police officers examine a horse

Officers from the RSPCA stepped in to act because county council officers did not have authority to act on the land, not part of the public highway.

The travellers keep a number of dogs, cockerels, chickens and horses at the site, overlooking the A64 in Castle Howard Road.

The action came after the county council obtained a warrant under a county court order for possession of the highways.

They were unable to take any animals or move any of the travellers' caravans because they had been moved from the verge.

Alan Burns, maintenance officer for North Yorkshire County Council, said: "They tell us they are moving to Thirsk at the weekend, where they have relatives.

"The warrant has been executed because they moved the horses off the highway. Whether it stays that way remains to be seen."

An RSPCA spokeswoman said: "The RSPCA assisted in a council investigation and found an emaciated horse with flu type symptoms and an emaciated dog suffering from mange.

"Both animals were signed over to the RSPCA and removed and taken into care."

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