Armed police officers in Blackpool discovered a dead dog inside a property on Central Drive on October 3 after responding to a report that a woman had been assaulted. Lancashire Constabulary confirmed that a cordon was put in place and the road remained closed for several hours while officers conducted a thorough search of the premises.
The incident began at 12:48pm when police received a call reporting that a woman had been attacked by a man. Officers attended the area to make arrest enquiries, but after receiving information that the suspect may have been carrying weapons and that potentially dangerous dogs were inside the property, the decision was made to dispatch armed units to the scene.
Search uncovers multiple dogs
During the search, officers found "a number of dogs" inside the property, one of which had died. The discovery was made as part of the wider investigation into the assault. The suspect was not located during the search, and arrest enquiries remain ongoing, according to Lancashire Constabulary.
Police have emphasised that the incident is being treated as isolated and that there is no wider threat to the public. The female victim of the assault has been safeguarded, the force confirmed.
Police statement and appeal
A spokesperson for Lancashire Police told LancsLive: "We were called to Central Drive, Blackpool, at 12.48pm today (October 3) following a report of a woman had been assaulted by a man."
"Officers have attended the area to make arrest enquiries. Having received information that the suspect may have weapons and that potentially dangerous dogs inside the property, the decision was made for armed officers to attend the scene."
"A thorough search of the property was conducted and a number of dogs were found, including one which was deceased. However, the suspect was not located and arrest enquiries remain ongoing. This is being treated as an isolated incident and there is no wider threat to the public."
Ongoing investigation
Anyone with information is asked to call 101 and quote log 677 of 3rd October 2026. The investigation is continuing as police work to locate the suspect and establish the full circumstances surrounding the assault and the discovery of the dead dog.
