The RSPCA has been accused of abusing its powers by a senior High Court judge after they, with police and officials from Tendring council, raided a breeder’s dog kennels in Lawford, Essex without a legal warrant and unlawfully seized 44 dogs.

In a scathing rebuke for all three parties Lord Justice Beatson evoked Magna Carta – this year is the 800th anniversary – and told the court: “It is incumbent on the officers of the state, and those who assist them in this way, to take care that the principle of legality that has protected us well over many centuries is observed”.

The legal mistakes made by the RSPCA, police and council officials resulted in their prosecution of the kennel owners being stopped, with the charity’s challenge of the decision being rejected.