WARNING: Readers may find the photo below distressing.

The bodies of two cats were found heavily decomposed in a field after being shot.

The ginger cats were found in the dreadful condition three feet apart near to empty gun cartridges in Forest Hall Road, Stansted, by the RSPCA.

One had a hole in their head, while another had a cartridge pushed into their body.

RSPCA animal collection officer Anna Glozier said: “While I cannot be sure what has happened I am looking at the possibility that someone has taken the cats to this location and then shot them at close range.

“It just sickens me to think that this could have happened to two innocent animals.

“While the bodies are too decomposed to establish an exact cause of death, one cat was found with a hole in their head and the other had a cartridge sticking out of their body.”

Gazette:

A member of the public had contacted the charity after going to check on them after seeing a post on Facebook.

An RSPCA inspector attended on January 11 and collected the bodies, which had been laid out facing in opposite directions.

The bodies are too decomposed to identify the sex of the cats and they were not microchipped.

Ms Glozier added: “This was an awful incident to see and I am keen to speak to anyone who has any information as to who may have owned these cats or who knows what happened and why they were found like they were.

“Due to the fact the bodies are so decomposed we have limited information to go on at this stage, but I would appeal to anyone who may have been in the area or may have seen anything which may help us piece together what happened.”

If anyone has information contact the appeal line on 0300 123 8018.