A fox tragically found dead with a dog lead wrapped tightly around its neck could have been used to fight other animals, the RSPCA has said.
A railway worker came across the fox's body inside a black bin liner on wasteland near to a railway bridge in Little Hulton, Salford, last week. The RSPCA said a yellow-coloured, choker-style dog lead had been placed tightly around the fox's neck, although the exact cause of death is not yet known.
An inspector said the discovery off Aspinall Crescent in Little Hulton last Monday was being treated as suspicious, and that it was 'possible' the female fox was being used to fight other animals.
An RSPCA investigation is ongoing and an appeal to the public for information has now been made.
RSPCA inspector Vicki Brooks, said: "This was an extremely upsetting sight and we’d like to thank the concerned person who rang us to report it. The dog lead around this poor fox's neck had been pulled extremely tightly, although we can't say how she died or whether strangulation was the cause.
"As she was on a lead, it's possible she was being used to fight with other animals - although no other obvious injuries were present. Or she could have been kept as a pet, which is something we would most definitely not encourage.
"The circumstances are worrying and I'm keen to speak to anyone who has first-hand knowledge about this incident to contact us so we can progress our enquiries and determine if any wildlife offences have been committed."
The charity added in a statement: "The RSPCA is appealing for information. The distressing discovery was made by a railway worker who found the young mammal hanging out of a black bin liner near a bridge at Aspinall Crescent and contacted the RSPCA.
A choker-style dog lead had been placed tightly around the fox’s neck, although the cause of death is not known. However, the circumstances in which she was found are being treated as suspicious.
"The RSPCA has made enquiries locally and is appealing to anyone with information about what happened to the fox - whose body was found at about 10.30am last Monday, March 20 - to contact the charity.
"Anyone with information is urged to contact the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018."
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