BADGER baiters may be operating in Hampshire after three headless carcases were discovered in Fareham.

The RSPCA has gone on high alert following the find at Titchfield by a member of the public.

Three of the animals have been found with severed heads in Frog Lane and now the RSPCA has launched an investigation.

RSPCA inspector Jenny Ride, who is investigating the matter, believes that the bodies of all three badgers were probably dumped at the same time but only two were discovered as the third was left in a less prominent place.

The bodies had begun to decompose so the exact cause of death is not yet known but Jenny said the fact they had been decapitated indicates that it could have been illegal badger baiters who keep the heads as trophies.

She said: "If these beautiful creatures were the victims of badger baiting then it is likely that a number of people were involved.

"As well as the terrible suffering to the badgers, the terriers used to pull these creatures out of their setts are often wounded or killed.

"People responsible for badger baiting do not care about the badgers or their dogs.

"It is vital they are stopped."

It is not known where the badgers came from or whether they were part of one family removed from a local sett.

Badgers are a protected species and anyone caught injuring or killing one could face six months in jail or a £5,000 fine.

Anyone with information is asked to call the RSPCA cruelty and information line on 08705 555999.