The RSPCA is investigating after a chicken’s body was found dumped in a stream in Par.

The bird’s body was found in a cardboard box submerged in water in a small stream running under Penny’s Lane on April 18.

The woman who discovered the box pulled it to the bank and found the hen’s body inside and alerted the RSPCA.

Animal collection officer Peter Ferris said: ’There was mushed up seed inside. It looks as though the bird has been abandoned in the box but what isn’t clear is whether the bird was alive or dead when it was dumped.’

The caller who contacted the RSPCA also reported that, the previous day, a box of kittens had been found abandoned nearby.

Anyone who has any information should contact the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018.