A badger in a trap was found dumped on a road bridge in Midsomer Norton in Somerset.

The RSPCA was alerted by a member of the public who discovered the distressed badger inside the trap, which had been placed on the road bridge at Steam Mills, at around 7.30am on Saturday, June 6.

RSPCA inspector Miranda Albinson said: “It’s a mystery where this badger came from, or how he came to be left on the bridge in the trap so we’re really interested to hear from anyone who may be able to help our investigation.

“He’s a small juvenile badger and the trap he was in was smaller than a cat trap which had been just left on the pavement on the bridge.

“It’s an appalling way to treat a wild animal; to remove them from their home and natural environment and then dump without any regard for their welfare in this way.

“He was very distressed, but thankfully uninjured, and is now recovering alongside other young badgers at RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre before being released back to the wild where he belongs.”

Under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, it is an offence (except under licence) to wilfully kill, injure or take a badger or to attempt to do so, or to cruelly ill-treat a badger.

Further advice about badgers and information about the laws that protect them can be found via the RSPCA’s ‘Badgers and the law’ webpage. Anyone with information on the Midsomer Norton trapped badger should ring 0300 123 8018.

Read more: RSPCA calls for action as largest ever number of badgers killed in cull