The RSPCA is appealing for information after a young badger was dumped in a trap on a road bridge in Midsomer Norton.

The animal welfare charity 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 Saturday (6 June).

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.

The juvenile badger has been taken to RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre

The charity's frontline animal rescuers like Miranda have continued to help animals suffering injury, cruelty and neglect throughout the Coronavirus outbreak, as the RSPCA continues to provide vital care to thousands of animals across England and Wales.

To help the RSPCA keep helping animals like this badger and to keep animal hospitals and centres running for emergency treatment, and round the clock care through these unprecedented times, please donate whatever you can spare at rspca.org.uk/covid

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.