TWO ducks found dead with their necks tied together is the latest case of animal cruelty in Denbighshire.
The ‘sickening’ discovery was made by Katy Morgan, from Ruthin, who was walking her dog along the River Clwyd by Glasdir on the evening of Tuesday, March 1.
“My dog went into the river and wouldn't come out, and then I noticed a dead duck,” said Katy.
“It was only after looking for a bit that I noticed that there were two, and then that their necks were tied together with bailing twine.
“They probably drowned, there's some horrible people out there.”
The duck shooting season ended on January 31.
Judi Hewitt of Wales Against Animal Cruelty (WAAC) said the discovery was ‘sickening’.
“Anyone that can torture an animal like that, it’s awful.
“It is very worrying, if anyone can act that way towards an animal imagine what they could do to a human,” she added.
But this is not the first time animal cruelty has been an issue in the county.
In September, 2010, police and animal welfare officers were on the hunt for the killers of nine sheep and a pony.
The animals were shot dead just a few miles from each other.
The first of the killings was in a field between Bryneglwys and Llanelidan, when Shetland pony - Minnie was found dead by its owner.
In the same week, nine dead sheep were found over a period of 10 days in Ty Mawr Carrog, they had been shot using an air gun pellet.
Last May rock legend Brian May offered a £500 reward to find the killer of a young fox.
The Queen guitarist offered the cash for information after the young vixen was found on the edge of the Hiraethog Forest.
The dead animal was found with orange nylon rope tied in a knot around one back leg, whilst the other back leg had been torn off.
The rope had two loops tied at the other end which, the RSPCA said could indicate the fox was tied down.
It is illegal to interfere with badger setts, penalties can be a jail sentence or fines up to £5,000, but in May 2008 illegal badger digging was taking place on moorland between Llangollen and Llandegla.
Not only had 10 badger setts been dug out, but a dead badger was recovered - stuffed in a plastic bag.
In 2008, the RSPCA found Denbighshire had the highest number of convictions in Wales for cruelty against animals.
To report a mistreated, neglected, injured or distressed animal, call the RSPCA’s 24-hour cruelty line on 0300 1234999.