Two teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of theft and animal cruelty, after a dog came out of a moving car window.

Police were alerted to a white Vauxhall Astra van travelling along the A12 near Great Braxted from the Suffolk area yesterday afternoon.

As the van was moving, a female Springer Spaniel was seen to come out of the window.

She was recovered by police, relatively unharmed, and was checked over vets.

Thanks to being microchipped, her owners were located in Bury St Edmunds.

The van was stopped by police and game birds were recovered from inside.

An 18-year-old from Pitsea and a 16-year-old from Wickford were arrested on suspicion of theft, causing unnecessary animal cruelty under the Animal Welfare Act and killing game out of season.

They were questioned and released on police bail until April 10.