Manchester Evening News

Horror as baby badgers are found skinned

RSPCA LAUNCHES INVESTIGAT­ION AFTER GRIM DISCOVERY IN COUNTRY PARK

- By PAIGE OLDFIELD paige.oldfield@trinitymir­ror.com @paigeoldfi­eld22

AN investigat­ion has been launched after three dead badger cubs were found skinned and dumped near a badger den.

The grim discovery was made by a local wildlife group on March 25 at Reddish Vale Country Park in Stockport.

A week later, two more cubs were found skinned in the same spot.

The decomposin­g body of a dog was also found near the badger sett this week. It had been stuffed into a holdall.

The RSPCA has now launched an investigat­ion into the suspicious incidents and is asking for anyone with any informatio­n to get in touch.

Inspector Jessica Araujo said: “There’s no evidence to suggest the cubs were dug up by humans as the sett does not appear to have been disturbed.

“But it is strange that three cubs have been found in this way just a few days apart around the same sett.

“I am not sure whether someone has found the cubs dead and skinned them - but it seems very strange.

“I am just hoping they were dead before their skin was removed.

“They cut them to the bottom of their body and left the skin on.

“Then yesterday a member of the public came across a holdall nearby and a badly decomposin­g body of a dog was found.

“We didn’t know how the dog died but all these incidents seem very suspicious.” Anyone who can help the investigat­ion should contact the RSPCA appeals line number on 0300 123 8018.

I am just hoping they were dead before their skin was removed Inspector Jessica Araujo

 ??  ?? The badgers were found in Reddish Vale Country Park
The badgers were found in Reddish Vale Country Park

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