Wednesday, December 24, 2025
A man and women have been charged with offences under the Animal Welfare Act .
On 16th December Lancashire Constabulary’s Dangerous Dog Unit, working in partnership with the Blackburn with Darwen Neighbourhood Policing Team, the RSPCA, and Blackburn with Darwen Trading Standards, executed a warrant at a property in Emily Street, Blackburn.
During the warrant, officers discovered 26 dogs crammed into a three-bedroom property, many confined in crates and living in substandard conditions. A deceased dog was recovered from a freezer, and further animal welfare offences were identified. Several dogs were seized immediately for welfare reasons. Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, Lee Wright, 38, of Emily Street, Blackburn was charged with breaching a disqualification order. He was remanded into custody appearing at Blackburn Magistrates Court on 17th December. During the hearing he pleaded guilty and he will return to the court for sentencing in February 2026.
Subsequently a veterinary surgeon examined some of the seized dogs and identified that they had injuries causing the animals to suffer. As a result of this, our officers re-attended Emily Street yesterday (23rd December) alongside the RSPCA and removed the remaining dogs from the property. Two people were also arrested.
As a result, Wright was charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a animal under the Animal Welfare Act and breaching a disqualification order. Paige Carrington, 27, of Stansfeld Street, Blackburn was charged with causing unnecessary suffering to an animal under the Animal Welfare Act.
Wright will appear at Blackburn Magistrates Court on 22nd January, and Carrington will appear at the same court the following day.
Wright is subject to a 10-year disqualification order from keeping dogs following previous convictions for animal welfare offences.