Photos of 48 suspected stolen dogs have been released by police who are trying to reunite the animals with their owners.

More than 80 canines of different breeds and ages were seized during an operation by Suffolk officers last month.

Police who were investigating a series of pet thefts had raided a travellers’ site on the outskirts of Ipswich on 20 March.

The force is attempting to identify the animals’ owners, but it says a lack of identifying features and information about the pooches has meant the process is “challenging”.

And none of the 83 dogs have yet been reunited with their owners.

Anyone who believes that one or more of the dogs is theirs is asked to email police with proof of ownership at [email protected]

They are asked to do so by 24 May – providing a full name, contact details and the image number which relates to the dog, or dogs, in question.

Officers say owners should only make contact via the email address, and must not contact the force’s contact and control room on 999 or 101.

The dogs either do not have microchips or have chips which appear to be incorrectly registered, but owners can contact police with further details on microchipping.

Other photos of the dogs which prove ownership, purchase details or records of reporting a dog as lost or stolen to police or charities can also be submitted.

Detective Chief Inspector Nicola Wallace, senior investigating officer, said: “We are keen to hear from anyone who believes any of the dogs in the images may be theirs.

“During the last few weeks officers have been liaising with other police forces around the country, as well as conducting a number of other inquiries, in order to establish where the dogs may have originated from.”

Six people were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to steal in connection with the operation.

A 39-year-old man, a 34-year-old man, and two women aged 41 and 46 have been bailed until 17 June.

A second 34-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman have both been released and will face no further action.

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