Dead fox ‘left at home’ of TV presenter Chris Packham

‘The police have been informed,’ says wildlife campaigner

TV naturalist Chris Packham has claimed a dead fox was dumped outside his home after he spoke out against hunting and animal cruelty.

The Springwatch presenter posted a video on Twitter saying he found the “beautiful” animal in his driveway in Hampshire on Monday.

“It seems that if you stick up for foxes, you get your comeuppance from people who still think it’s a good idea to kill them,” he added.

Mr Packham said he planned to examine CCTV footage and report the incident to the police.

It came after the wildlife campaigner criticised a barrister who confessed to bludgeoning a fox to death with a baseball bat, commenting: “Managing wildlife doesn’t necessitate cruelly killing it.”

Mr Packham also spoke out after a man believed to be a hunting supporter was filmed repeatedly using a dead fox to hit a van carrying animal rights activists.

He has previously told how he had received death threats and dead crows left hanging outside his home.

In the video of the fox left at his home, he said the injuries to its body was consistent with being caught in a snare.

He added: “Surely it's time to move on to a more civilised society in this 21st century we are living in.”

The RSPCA said in a statement it was “concerned and saddened” by the incident.

“We strongly oppose traps which can cause terrible suffering to animals,” a spokesperson said.

“We understand this incident has been reported to the police and are ready to assist them if needed.”

However, Hampshire police said on Sunday evening they could not find any record in their system.

Additional reporting by Press Association