Ricky Gervais dispairs about animal cruelty on The Ellen Show

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The poor creatures had been tied together with electrical flex cables. The grim discovery was made by a member of the public in Sevenoaks, Kent, on Sunday.

It remains unclear whether the greys had been thrown or climbed up themselves and became tangled in the discarded wheel which was 15ft up the pole in Watercress Drive.

One of the squirrels was already dead while the second died shortly after being found, according to the animal charity.

Both were missing the tips of their tails which were found nearby and appeared to have been snipped off on purpose.

The member of the public contacted the RSPCA and Animal Rescue Officer Emma Byrne is now investigating.

She said: “This is an extremely distressing and bizarre incident in which two squirrels were found tied together with their tails snipped off and discovered up a telegraph pole.

“One of the squirrels also had a bloodied nose.

“This was clearly a callous and horrible act of cruelty against two defenceless animals.

“We know from the information given by the witness that at least one of the squirrels was still alive when they were tied up and this whole ordeal would have caused them a great deal of suffering and fear.”

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She added the RSPCA is keen to find out exactly what happened to the squirrels and urged anyone who saw anything which might help the investigation to contact the charity in strictest confidence on 0300 123 8018.

RSPCA data shows wild mammals and birds bore the brunt of abuse across a five-year period from 2016 to 2020.

The number of cruelty incidents relating to wild mammals totalled 4,383, with wild birds persecuted in even greater numbers at 5,049.

Figures also reveal deliberate cruelty to wildlife is highest during the summer months.

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Last year, 376 wild animals were reported to have been intentionally harmed across the lockdown months of June to August alone.

Over that same period, the five areas which topped the list with the highest number of wildlife abuse reports were Greater London (101), Kent (37), West Midlands (36), Greater Manchester (35) and West Yorkshire (30).

Adam Grogan, Head of Wildlife at the RSPCA, said: “We say we’re a nation of animal-lovers and yet every year, we see wild animals in our wildlife centres and animal hospitals that have been badly injured or killed by being beaten, mutilated, poisoned, or shot for ‘fun’.

“Our data shows that reports of cruelty to wildlife surged over last summer. Police forces reported a rise in anti-social behaviour during that first lockdown, when pressures and frustrations may have led to more of this type of crime, leading to some seeking ‘entertainment’ through these sorts of barbaric incidents involving wildlife.

“There is no place for cruelty to animals in today’s society and we urge anyone who spots anything suspicious when out and about or sees anything online to report it to either the RSPCA’s cruelty line on 0300 1234 999, Crimestoppers or their local police force.”

To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals visit its website or call the donation line on 0300 123 8181.

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