A group of schoolboys filmed abusing a squirrel have been questioned under caution but will face no criminal action.

The pupils of Wilmington Grammar School were excluded after a video was posted showing the animal being hit with a brick, swung around and being set fire to.

The incident took place in a woodland area on Monday, September 12, and after the footage emerged online, the boys, believed to be 14 and 15 were hauled in front of their head teacher.

Donna Lodge said: “A thoroughly unpleasant video clip, showing inappropriate behaviour by a group of boys towards a dead squirrel, was brought to our attention.

“The clip, which was uploaded on Instagram, met with an immediate response from the school. The culprits were identified and interviewed along with their parents.

“Fixed-term exclusions were applied, in accordance with the school’s behaviour policy, and the students have also been made to undertake community service.

“An assembly for the whole year group took place to emphasise expectations and to condemn the behaviour of this minority of students, who will now be closely monitored.”

She confirmed yesterday that the boys had been interviewed under caution by the RSPCA who had established that the animal was already dead.

Mrs Lodge earlier said: “Contrary to the reporting of The Sun, there is no evidence whatsoever that the squirrel was alive.

“Every statement is clear that the dead squirrel was lying on the floor at the point of discovery by the boys.

“In complete contrast however, on the following day a pigeon which was lying on the floor stunned after flying into a window, was carried to the head’s office with the gentlest of care and placed in a box until it came round. The bird was successfully released an hour later.”

Dartford MP Gareth Johnson said: “I don’t think we should judge the school on the basis of this incident. Wilmington Grammar for Boys is a well-led and successful school in our area and this distasteful act doesn’t change that. The school dealt with this very swiftly and they should be given credit for that.”

A RSPCA spokesman had earlier said: “This footage is extremely disturbing and distressing to watch. We are looking into this matter and we urge anyone with first-hand information to contact the RSPCA 24-hour hotline on 0300 1234 999.

“It is unclear from the footage whether the squirrel is alive or dead during this attack – if it was, it would have suffered severely.

A police spokesman said: “Officers have been made aware of the video footage circulating on social media, and it is not clear whether the animal was deceased prior to this footage.”