Armed police were called to an address in Chippenham to reports of a dog being stabbed.

Pc Jeff Smith of the armed response unit based in Devizes issued a statement saying that armed officers attended a home in Wood Lane where they found a number of people and a Rottweiler with several stab wounds.

However the named suspect had already left the address prior to police arrival and so armed officers conducted an area search. He was found in the Market Square in Chippenham an hour later and arrested by officers.

Pc Smith said: "The male suspect is still being detained on suspicion of affray and criminal damage. Sadly the rottweiler died from its injuries."

An investigation into the incident continues.