Police investigate 'deliberate' slaughter of frogs

Police are investigating a "disturbing" incident in which scores of frogs and toads were deliberately cut into pieces.

Officers from Lincolnshire Police's wildlife team said the amphibians, which were in a pond near Balmoral Drive, Grantham, were targeted some time between 6 and 7 March by someone using a garden strimmer or similar tool.

A significant amount of frogspawn was also removed from the pond, the force said.

The incident is being investigated as an offence of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

Det Con Aaron Flint, a wildlife crime officer with the force, said: "In my 23 years as a police officer, I've never come across anything like this.

"It's really unusual and strange.

"Somebody has removed close to 100 frogs and toads, and appears to have cut them in half."

Flint described what happened as being on "a huge, almost industrial scale", adding: "I don't think they have left a single frog or toad alive in this pond."

"They've left the front halves behind and kept the legs," he said.

Flint also believed the amphibians would have suffered a painful death, adding it was "really cruel".

Appealing for information, a police spokesperson added: "We are keen to speak [to] anyone who was in the area during this time, or who may have seen or heard someone using gardening equipment near a pond, or noticed any suspicious behaviour."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the force's wildlife team or get in touch anonymously via Crimestoppers.

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