A mum walking with her nine-year-old child found a dead hedgehog wrapped in clingfilm and taped to a lamppost in Oxfordshire.
Local resident Laura Hughes found the hedgehog, which had a leg poking out from the tape, in Drayton on Friday afternoon.
Police are now investigating the circumstances.
Laura posted on social media: ‘Whoever has done this to a hedgehog along the Abingdon Road should be utterly ashamed.
‘I think it’s important that this behaviour is called out and made public, but I appreciate it’s a horrible photo.
‘It was particularly horrible in person too, especially for my nine-year-old who was at eye level with it.’
Ms Hughes has reported the incident to Thames Valley Police, and described the situation as ‘worrying’.
She said: ‘The RSPCA website stated that wild animal issues should be referred to local charities, and obviously there was nothing that could be done for the hedgehog so that went nowhere.
‘My concern is that animal cruelty is known to lead to other serious offences.
‘While I doubt the person responsible for this will be found, it may be helpful to the police if there is a pattern of behaviour going on.
‘There were some horses injured nearby the same night, it’s very worrying.’
She told the Oxford Mail: ‘My concern is that animal cruelty is known to lead to other serious offences and while I doubt the person responsible for this will be found, it may be helpful to the police if there is a pattern of behaviour going on.’
A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: ‘A woman reported to Thames Valley Police that at 2.30pm on Friday, she found a dead hedgehog wrapped in cling film and taped to a lamppost in Abingdon Road, Drayton.
‘The incident is being investigated and we would urge anyone with information to contact the police via our website or phone via 101, quoting reference number 2495 (26/8).’
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