A fox has been found dead in a park after being shot with a crossbow sparking outrage among locals.

The grim discovery was made this morning at Duncan Down in Whitstable, where, it is claimed, the remains “left in a place to shock as many people as possible”.

While the cruel killing has sparked outrage, there are also safety fears about a crossbow being used in the area, just metres away from a footpath.

Carrying a crossbow in public without a reasonable excuse is a criminal offence and can lead to imprisonment, while it is also illegal to hunt any animal with a bow or crossbow.

Friends of Duncan Down secretary and former police officer Ashley Clark says he was alerted to the dead fox at about 8.30am today.

“The body was left in full display and a place readily accessible by walkers,” he said.

“After 30 years of policing, I don’t think there is anything that’ll shock me but the lady who phoned me about it was quite upset by it all.

“I arrived in five minutes and removed it and put it in a place that wasn’t visible so dogs couldn’t get it.”

The former city councillor has raised safety fears about a crossbow being used at the beauty spot.

“A tree could deflect an arrow and could injure or maim a walker, child or dog, as this happened 10ft away from a footpath,” he added.

“It is totally unacceptable, it is criminal behaviour and we don’t want criminals on our nature reserve – they are not welcome.

“They are a threat to the safety of people who use it.

“What annoyed me more than anything else was it was not only shot deliberately, the fox was left in a place to shock as many people as possible.”

Crossbows are legal for anyone over 18 in England, but selling one to a minor could land you six months in jail or a fine.

When being transported, crossbows must be kept unloaded and unable to fire – police take breaches seriously.

Under-18s are banned from owning them, except under adult supervision.

RSPCA lead wildlife officer Geoff Edmond said: “We are really concerned to hear about this incident and would urge anyone with information to contact the police and we will of course assist them, if required.

“Weapon attacks are horrific, and sadly what we see is likely only the tip of the iceberg.

“It is unspeakably cruel and totally unacceptable to shoot any animals for ‘fun’ - or to harm them for target practice, but sadly we receive nearly 200 reports across England and Wales every year.

“While most people will be appalled by attacking animals in this way, sadly the RSPCA’s experience shows that there are people out there who are deliberately targeting wildlife, pets and farm animals with guns, catapults and crossbows.

“These weapons cause horrific pain and suffering.

“But we are doing all we can to change things.

“As more and more police forces are seeing worrying levels of weapons-related incidents, we are helping to develop Operation Lakeshot, a police-led partnership initiative initially established by Essex Police and the Metropolitan Police, which aims to tackle these worrying crimes against wildlife.

“We’ve also welcomed Kent Police’s new ‘Catapult Crackdown’ initiative", as they take action to tackle the use of catapults to harm people and wildlife or cause criminal damage.”