Badger found hanged from goalposts in sports field opposite Essex school in ‘sickening’ act of cruelty

The badger's body was quickly taken down from the goalposts before it was seen by children at a neighbouring school (stock image) Picture: BRIAN SMITH (Image: (c) copyright citizenside.com)

The disturbing discovery was made at a sports field in Sawyers Hall Lane, in Brentwood, Essex, on Friday, September 28, opposite the Becket Keys School.

A member of the public found the dead animal and immediately called the school caretaker who rang the RSPCA’s emergency line.

RSPCA trainee inspector Ann Bennett praised the actions of the caretaker in carefully removing the dead badger from the goalposts before any children from the neighbouring school witnessed the distressing scene.

“We’d like to get to the bottom of this sickening, deliberate act of cruelty to a wild animal,” she said.

“The incident is particularly disturbing as we suspect this badger was alive when it was strung up, as there was blood around its nose and mouth.

“It must have been extremely distressing to the member of public who found the badger.

“Our thanks go to him and the shocked school caretaker who was able to take the lifeless badger down from the goalpost to prevent it being seen by children.

“It is horrible to think someone could be responsible for killing any animal in such a violent way.

“The location was quite a distance from the road and we are keen for members of the public who may have been in the vicinity of this sports field on Friday evening and saw anything suspicious to come forward.”

It is illegal to intentionally injure, kill or take a badger from the wild under the Protection of Badgers Act of 1992.

Anyone with any information that could assist officers in their investigation should call the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018 and leave a message for Trainee Inspector Bennett.

Incidents of animal cruelty can be reported through the RSPCA’s emergency line on 0300 1234 999 or online here.