AN animal charity is being scrutinised after concerns were raised about how it spent thousands of pounds in donations.

The Owl Sanctuary is the subject of a probe by watchdog the Charity Commission, which has opened a 'regulatory compliance case'.

It is thought the watchdog is examining how a £225,000 legacy and other funds donated were spent by the Barrow charity.

The probe does not constitute a formal investigation and does not mean the watchdog has made any finding of wrongdoing.

The Owl Sanctuary has been in operation for around 14 years and has a base in Foxfield Road on Walney.

The sanctuary was founded by Paul Rose as a limited company and was registered as a charity in 2019.

It describes itself as a 'rescue and rehabilitation centre working together towards education on the conservation of owls'.

The organisation has paid visits to schools and other venues with its owls.

The probe comes Mr Rose prepares to appear before magistrates charged with animal welfare offences.

Mr Rose is alleged to have breached regulations related to the displaying of a tawny owl named Ludo.

He is said to have committed the offence between March 1 2020 and March 7 2022.

Earlier this year animal welfare charity the RSPCA raided two addresses linked to the Owl Sanctuary.

The sanctuary had its licence to exhibit animals revoked.    

Working alongside Barrow Council and the police, RSPCA officers seized around 30 birds from the sanctuary in March 2022.

An RSPCA spokeswoman said: “On Tuesday, March 7,  RSPCA officers joined Cumbria Police and Barrow Borough Council to execute warrants at two addresses in Barrow under the Animal Welfare Act.

“Around 30 birds of prey were seized by police and placed in to the care of the RSPCA."

Mr Rose is due to appear before South Cumbria Magistrates' Court on October 31.