Probe after dead puppies found in field

The police and RSPCA are appealing for informationafter several deceased puppies were found in a field in Detling.

A member of the public discovered the remains near Detling Community Store and Post Office in Pilgrims Way at about 15:00 BST on 10 August.

Kent Police said officers attended the scene and later found several more shallow burial sites in the same field, while the RSPCA said the exact number of dead puppies is not yet known.

Det Insp Tristan Stevens, of Kent Police, said: "This is a deeply upsetting incident and investigators are working with partner agencies to establish what happened to the animals and how they arrived at the site."

Officers are keen to hear from anyone who may have information about the animals and how they came to be in the field.

RSPCA animal rescue officer, Claire Thomas, said: "This was an incredibly upsetting and concerning discovery.

"Sadly, the condition of the bodies means we don't know how long they had been left there or exactly what happened to them."

The RSPCA said that the bags contained the remains of puppies of varying ages and breeds and in different states of decomposition, with some puppies appearing to have been left more recently than others.

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