A FOX cub which was found dead in Greenstead died from a pellet wound.

The baby fox was found by a dog walker over the weekend, and a photo of the animal was posted on social media.

At the time, it had thought the animal had been shot with a weapon which could have been an air rifle.

Hundreds of people commented on the photo, concerned about any malicious behaviour.

Charles Rickwood had been walking his Border Collie in Tulip Walk at the time.

He had been chatting to another dog walker when he was approached by a friend.

The animal was taken in by Dave Thompson, who runs the Fox Rehabilitation in Colchester.

He wanted to confirm what killed the fox cub, but there were concerns as a pellet had not been found.

However a further update was posted on Facebook, which said: "It was a pellet, and it had punctured the liver so it died from internal bleeding."

It is not known whether the incident has been reported to the police.

Ward councillor Tim Young said: "I'm very disappointed and sorry to hear this happened. That poor animal must have died in absolute agony.

"You worry about the mentality of people shooting animals, I hope they give themselves up to the relevant authorities.

"It's a disgraceful and sickening act to carry out, it's absolute cruelty."