Hundreds of smuggled dogs that were being sent to restaurants to be eaten have been rescued by police in Indonesia.

Officers swooped on a truck carrying the pooches in the city of Semarang in Central Java on January 6 at around pm local time. The dogs were allegedly being trafficked into the city of Solo.

Police said they acted following complaints from residents who were concerned for the welfare of the animals.

Senior Commissioner Satake Bayu, Head of Public Relations of the Central Java Regional Police, said: 'Police officers received reports of suspected animal abuse. Then we found 226 dogs from a truck that we secured on the toll road.'

Bayu said that the operation came following tip-offs from people who were reportedly aware of the smuggling. Officers then stopped the truck as it passed the Kalikangkung Toll Gate.

Officers found hundreds of dogs crammed into the green metal container of the truck, which had previously been used for carrying construction materials.

The dogs were wrapped in sacks with their legs tied. They are also stacked and crowded together and many had wounds across their bodies.

The dogs were taken to an animal rescue centre while the truck was driven to the police station to be kept as evidence.

The police chief added: 'It is currently suspected that these dogs were being smuggled to restaurants that provide dog meat. We are still investigating this case.'

Officers believe the dogs were stolen from their owners. They are now searching for at least five other suspects involved in the alleged dog meat ring.

They believe there was one ringleader, the truck driver, and three people who helped smuggling.

Officials said the suspects could be jailed for up to 15 years under the Animal Husbandry and Animal Health Law.

Head of the Semarang City Agriculture Service, Hernowo Budi Luhur, explained that his party had carried out examinations of the condition of hundreds of pathetic dogs.

He added: 'The latest data shows that 11 dogs died in the truck. Some of them died because of stress and heat.

'The Agriculture Service is also carrying out further checks regarding the health condition of these unfortunate animals. We are checking everything.'