Dumping of otters in cage a new low, charity says

The pair were found in a cage near Sleap, Shropshire

The discovery of two otter cubs dumped in a cage at a roadside has been described by an animal charity as "a new low".

The UK Wild Otter Trust said while it was used to "strange and upsetting" cases, the abandonment of the pair - accompanied only by a note asking that a rescue centre be notified - seemed to be a planned and cruel act.

A member of the public found the animals close to Sleap Airfield in Shropshire on 9 October, and alerted Cuan Wildlife Rescue, near Much Wenlock, as the anonymous note requested.

The centre said the otters were "underweight, lethargic and soaking wet", prompting an appeal for information by the UK Wild Otter Trust which is caring for the cubs at a site in Devon.

Otters are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 198, and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.

It is a criminal offence to wilfully kill, injure, capture or disturb otters except under licence.

Dave Webb, founder of the trust, said of the find in Shropshire: "We sincerely hope that someone has information on this or even has CCTV footage from the area that can be passed to the wildlife crime officers investigating this rural crime."

He added: "Although we’ve unfortunately been called out to some strange and upsetting circumstances in the past, this feels like a new low.

"This seems to be a planned act of unprecedented cruelty and we will do everything we can to bring the people responsible for this act to justice."

The trust plans to release the rescued otters into the wild when they are old enough.

It is offering a reward for information leading to the prosecution of the person or persons involved, and has asked that the public makes contact if they have information.