DETECTIVES are investigating after two rabbits were found beheaded in the back garden of a Hampshire home.

The pets were brutally killed in Hilsea, Portsmouth, last weekend.

A child made the gruesome discovery on Saturday morning. Police say the family and neighbours do not have any pets that could have been responsible for the attack.

Police are appealing for information, saying there was no sign of a struggle or any other damage to the rabbits - one brown and the other black and white - apart from the removal of the heads.

A spokesman said: "No one in the family can explain why this should have happened. It does not appear to be an animal attack, and why would anyone take the heads?"

Anyone who has heard about the killings or who has found a rabbit head or heads should call Fratton police station on 0845 045 4545.