Dead foxes, rabbits and a badger found with 'dog bite wounds' found dumped in lay-by

A collection of animals found dead in a lay-by may have been the result of illegal hunting, the RSPCA fears.

Two foxes, four rabbits and a badger were all found dead in a lay-by with dog attack-like wounds, the animal charity said.

The bodies were found dumped a ditch near Ashford, Kent, on 3 May.

All the animals except the badger had wounds consistent with being attacked by dogs, the RSPCA said, with inspectors saying it suggested someone was hunting them using dogs.

Using dogs to hunt and kill animals has been illegal in the UK since 2004.

The RSPCA said it was not clear whether the wounds were inflicted while the animals were dead or alive and called for countryside residents to be on the look out for illegal hunting.

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RSPCA inspector Clive Hopwood said: "We can’t be sure if these dog bite wounds were caused after the animals were dead or when they were alive - and we’re keen to find out if someone is going out hunting for wild animals with their dogs.

"We are urging anyone who knows anything about this, or who may have seen someone acting suspiciously in the area, to contact us in complete confidence so we can look into what happened."