Warning: Some readers may find these images distressing

Two squirrels were found tied together and hanging from a bicycle wheel halfway up a telegraph pole.

The grim discovery was made by a member of the public in Watercress Drive, Sevenoaks.

The RSPCA was called and said the squirrels had been tied together with electrical flex cables. The charity said it was not clear whether they had been thrown up to the telegraph pole or climbed up there themselves and later became tangled in the discarded bicycle wheel.

However both squirrels were missing the tip of their tails which were found nearby and appeared to have been purposefully snipped off.

The squirrels were found on Sunday. One was already dead and the other died shortly afterwards.

RSPCA animal rescue officer Emma Byrne said: "This is an extremely distressing and bizarre incident.

"One of the squirrels also had a bloodied nose. This was clearly a callous and horrible act of cruelty against two defenceless animals."

She said: "At least one of the squirrels was still alive when they were tied up and this whole ordeal would have caused them a great deal of suffering and fear.

"We are keen to find out exactly what happened to these squirrels and would urge anyone who saw anything around Watercress Drive on Sunday evening to contact us in strict confidence on 0300 123 8018.”

Escaped animals, unusual finds and news from the RSPCA can all be found here.

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