Two prize-winning dog breeders could face prosecution for animal cruelty for trying to transport 12 pedigree dogs on a 200-mile journey in the back of a removal lorry in sweltering temperatures.

Kennel Club-accredited Airedale terriers breeders Alan and Julie Weatherley were stopped by police officers with a lorry loaded up with the dogs stacked in cages alongside other furniture and possessions.

The officers were called after a complaint from a neighbour on Tuesday, August 2, that one of the caged dogs had fallen off the wagon into the road.

In dramatic scenes, with temperatures as high as 28.8 degrees, the dogs were unloaded in the street and the Weatherley’s were forced to make their journey to Yorkshire without them.

Police temporarily rehoused the dogs – which can fetch up to £1,000 each – and are looking into whether there is sufficient grounds to prosecute.

Inspector Colin Baker of Sutton police said: “The animals have been removed from a potentially dangerous vehicle and we will now investigate.”

The couple, from Avenue Road, Belmont, have been accredited by the Kennel Club since July 2009 but the body yesterday described their actions as “misguided” and have contacted the authorities.

A policeman at the scene said the removals lorry had little or no ventilation, but had been told the couple planned to stop every half an hour on the journey to walk and water the animals.

The Weatherleys, who placed at Crufts in 2005 with one of their dogs, were planning to travel from Belmont to Doncaster in a house move.

One furious neighbour who called the police said: “We couldn’t believe how many dogs were in the van especially given that it was almost 30 degrees today.

“The dogs have such thick coats and looked really hot – as the police opened up the vans the crates seemed to fall out as they were so badly stacked.

“Most of the residents on this street are completely incensed about this.”

A spokesman for the RSPCA said: “Any dog owner needs to ensure their dogs are transported in comfortable and safe conditions, and this means that they must be kept cool and not be too cramped.

“If it can be proven that dogs were caused suffering then owners can be prosecuted.”

A spokesman for the Kennel Club said any breeder they accredit had to commit to good breeding practices and that the club was concerned about how people move dogs.

He said: “We have the power to discipline or remove breeders from the scheme, as appropriate, if their standards are found wanting.

“To date 212 have been removed, which demonstrates our commitment to upholding the standards of the scheme.

“No complaint has been made against the breeders in question since they joined the scheme in 2009 but we are in contact with the relevant authorities about this incident and will act accordingly.”

A police spokesman said: “Police were called following reports of several dogs being loaded into a removal van.

The dogs were removed from the vehicle and housed temporarily with a nearby resident. A man and woman, both aged in their 50s, have been processed for animal cruelty offences.”

Airedale Terrier Dog information.

The Airedale, is known to as king of the terriers as it is the biggest of its breed.

Used in World War I for carrying messages behind enemy lines and assisting the Red Cross in finding wounded soldiers. There are tales of them carrying out duties despite severe injuries.

It measures up to 24 inches tall and weighs about 23 kilograms. The dog will live on average 10 – 14 years.

Originally known as the Waterside and Bingley Terriers, the breed was crossed with the Otterhound to improve it. Better swimming and smell attributes produced an excellent hunter.

Nowadays the breed can be found all over the world, hunting large pests, aiding the military as well as being a good companion to owners in household surroundings.

The word Terrier originates from Latin and French meaning 'dog of the earth'.