Remains of five dead hares have been found dumped in plastic bags on a Scots road after being shot and retrieved by dogs.
The grim discovery was made on Strathblane Road in Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire, by a member of public on September 5. Scottish SPCA (SSPCA) officers were alerted to the incident and on inspection, one of the hares was found to be pregnant.
After a post-mortem of the carcasses, it emerged the animals had been shot and retrieved by dogs. SSPCA officers have launched a probe into the findings and have urged anybody with information to come forward.
Scottish SPCA inspector Mairi Wright, said: “The remains were found in the burn next to the layby across from the sign for the Loch Ardinning walk. The member of the public initially thought the remains belonged to deer but on further examination, we discovered the bags actually contained five hares. One of the hares was pregnant.
“The bodies of the animals were sent for post mortem, which determined the hares had been shot and retrieved by dogs. This is a horrendous incident which will have caused a great deal of fear and suffering to the hares.
“If anyone has any information about this incident, we would ask that they contact our confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.”
Constable Laura Robertson, wildlife crime liaison officer for Police Scotland 's Forth Valley Division, said: “We are aware of the incident and regularly work closely with Scottish SPCA inspectors. We will continue to support the Scottish SPCA with this incident.”
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