Britney SpearsBritney Spears is reportedly being investigated for possible child abuse, causing ex-husband Kevin Federline’s legal team to call for an earlier hearing in the couple’s ongoing custody case.

The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services is said to have launched the “abuse investigation” after a number on anonymous complaints over the last two months. The exact nature of the investigation is secret but sources claims it isn’t a case of physical mistreatment of the two boys, Sean and Jayden, but involves allegations similar to those covered by tabloid stories over recent weeks, such as poor diet, sleeping habits and dental hygiene.

Prompted by the investigation, Kevin’s lawyer Mark Vincent Kaplan called an unscheduled custody hearing at Los Angeles Superior Court yesterday and is said to have referenced the specific allegations, prompting rumours that it was someone from the legal team or Kevin himself that made the tip-off calls.

The family has previously been investigated by the DCFS on two separate occasions: after Britney drove with Sean on her knee in February last year and two months later after Sean fell out of a high chair at the family’s home.

In vaguely related news, the US Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has called off their investigation of the starlet after complaints were made concerning her Yorkie puppy London.

The dog was said to have broken its leg but not received proper care but now the Los Angeles branch of the organisation has received “written confirmation from a veterinarian” insisting the dog’s injury has been treated properly.

A spokesperson on behalf of the group issued a statement yesterday, saying: “spcaLA would like to thank Ms. Spears for her cooperation on this matter as well as members of the public for their ongoing concern for the welfare of animals,” the group said in a statement.