CRUEL hunters chopped all fours paws off a badger which had already suffered horrific injuries.

Members of the North East Essex Badger group were called out to the animal which had been spotted near Bradley Hill, Ovington, near Halstead.

It is thought the badger was initially attacked by dogs before being mutilated.

Pictures of the injured badger show the animal had been split open from its throat to its stomach before it died.

Renee Hockley-Byam, chairman of the North East Essex Badger Group, said: “It is just so wicked.

“I do believe this was deliberate.

It cannot possibly be an accident.

“I don’t think I have ever seen anything as bad as this one with the feet being hacked off.

“We believe that this badger might have been ‘lamped’ by a pitbull or a lurcher type dog.”

Lamping is where a beam of light is shone on the animal for a dog to chase.

Mrs Hockley-Byam added: “It is heartbreaking for an animal to go through suffering.

“Badgers are quite quiet animals who keep themselves to themselves and potter around in the middle of the night, not doing any harm to others.”

This is the latest in a series of attacks on badgers around north Essex.

Earlier this month, the Gazette reported on how a badger was found dead after being attacked in woodland near Thorpe, while three badgers setts were blocked up in the Great Maplestead and Gestingthorpe areas.

Mrrs Hockley-Byam urged anyone who sees or hears about any badger attacks to call the hotline on 07751 572175.

Essex Police’s wildlife officer Andy Long is investigating and can be called on 101.