GRUESOME photos of a shocking attack on a hedgehog has prompted a warning about reporting vicious acts against animals.

The pictures below were taken by an Eynsham resident, who found the skinned creature in their front garden earlier this month.

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It is unknown who or what carried out the appalling attack, but animals including foxes and badgers are known to eat hedgehogs.

Oxford Mail:

The resident told Eynsham Online: "We came down one morning on [Eynsham] carnival weekend to find the skin of a hedgehog in our front garden.

"It had been skilfully skinned, leaving only what you see in the photos, and had obviously been done at around 5am or 6am that morning, as when we found it the blood was still fresh and red.

"We were devastated to find this and to think someone had done it either in or just outside our garden."

Oxford Mail:

The website urged residents to report any similar acts, adding: "It seems this kind of incident is on the rise, but it must be reported for any chance of stamping it out."

You can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, or call the police on 101.