POLICE discovered 26 animals – including a pig – at a flat in Little Hulton.

Officers were called to Aspinall Crescent at about 12pm on Thursday after concern for an occupant’s welfare. 

There was no one home when officers arrived, but there were 15 cats, seven ferrets, three dogs and a pig inside the ground floor flat.

The RSPCA also attended the incident, and inspectors seized some of the animals.

Police returned to the property at 6.45pm after a woman threatened another woman, who she believed had made the call to the authorities about the animals, with a knife.

They arrested a 41-year-old woman on suspicion of affray. A 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill shortly afterwards. Both remain in custody.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “We were called to an address in Aspinall Crescent at about 12pm, in relation to concern for an occupant.

“When police arrived there was no one present, however there was a number of animals – including a fully-grown pig – inside the address.

“The RSPCA were called, who seized numerous animals for their own welfare.

“Later, at the same address, a 41-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of affray after threatening another woman with a knife, before the victim ran away.
“A 32-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill in the ensuing mêlée.”

A spokesman for the RSPCA said: “On Thursday the RSPCA attended a property in Little Hulton, near Bolton, over welfare concerns for a number of animals.

“We removed 13 cats, two dogs, three ferrets and a pig from the property.

“At present our investigations are still ongoing, and we cannot provide any further information at this time.”

Neighbours claimed there have been issues concerning animals at the property before.

One neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: “It is only a small ground floor flat and to have that many pets there I don’t know how there was room for them all.”