Animal cruelty cases shock centre

The gull was found shot in Highbridge

A wildlife rescue centre in Somerset has dealt with several cases of particularly cruel treatment recently.

Secret World Wildlife Rescue in East Huntspill said it first treated a duck which had been stoned by youths in Burnham-on-Sea.

Staff then saw a herring gull which had been shot, and a hedgehog which had been kicked and had a concrete slab thrown on it.

All the animals later died, despite receiving treatment.

The centre also helped a horse which had been left tied up by a rope halter and lead for several days.

Founder Pauline Kidner said: "I just cannot believe the sheer stupidity of people who have little or no feelings for animals.

"To gain some kind of fun from hurting animals in this way is beyond belief.

"I urge anyone seeing these kinds of malicious attacks to take descriptions of the people involved and to report it to the police," she added.