THE chair of an animal group has been left 'appalled and disgusted' after a badger was decapitated before being dumped on a footpath in Basingstoke. 

A member of the public alerted police of the animal alongside a footpath near a bridge crossing the A340 Ringway West. 

Taking the head, or any part of a badger, is a criminal offence under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992.

Following the incident, chair and found of the North East Hampshire Badger Group, Nick Cole, said: "I'm appalled, shocked and disgusted by this act, as any right-minded person should be. However, this poor badger lost its life, decapitating it and dumping its headless remains by an urban footpath is an act of absolute depravity and disrespect for both wildlife and people.

READ MORE: Man pleads guilty to manslaughter following death of Basingstoke father

"Subjecting any animal to mutilation, even after death, speaks to the very sick mentality of whoever perpetrated this act. They'll know full well they've done something horrific and made no effort to conceal the body of this beautiful animal despite, in the opinion of the police, removing the head at a different location."

A spokesperson for Hampshire police said: "We were called on Thursday 23 March to a report of a dead badger on the Ringway West footpath in Basingstoke.

READ MORE: Health hub in Festival Place set to close in May less than a year after opening

"Hampshire Constabulary’s Country Watch team have been made aware of the incident and the circumstances are currently under investigation."

Anyone with information or knowledge of this incident is encouraged to contact the Hampshire Rural Crime Team or North East Hampshire Badger Group.

The Badger Trust's 'Badger Watch' app is a free tool for members of the public to recognise, record and report instances of badger crime. The app is free to download and available on all Android and Apple devices.