Animal investigators from the RSPCA launch probe into 30-death Guinea Pig massacre in Warrington wood

RSPCA investigators have launched an investigation after finding 30 Guinea Pig bodies dumped in a wood in Cheshire.

Inspector Jenny Bethel found the bodies last Sunday 'in varying states of decay' piled up on top of a badger sett.

She added that the animals, which were not microchipped, seemed to be buried 'in a pile underneath each other' at the location in Warrington, Cheshire.

They were first discovered by members of the Wirral and Cheshire Badger Group, who had seen animal fur sticking out from 'the surface of fresh, loose soil around the sett entrance'.

nsp Bethel said: 'It is a really strange discovery to make and we are appealing for any information that could help us find out what happened to these guinea pigs.

'I removed two of the pets from the surface soil and took them to a vet, who examined them. I left the other bodies undisturbed, but they appear to be buried in a pile underneath each other.'

The charity has not disclosed the exact location of the sett, but said that the discovery was made in a 'rural area close to Warrington'.

It is feared the guinea pigs' death may be linked to 'cruel and illegal activities' of badger baiters.

Cheshire Police's rural crime team have been informed of the incident, the RSPCA says.

Inspector Bethel added: 'We have no idea at this point why the guinea pigs would be in this location.

'They were blocking one of the entrances to the sett, yet it doesn't look like the badgers have shown any interest in them.

'We don't know how long they have been there, but it may be they've been put there because there was a hole already there.