Three foxes have been "shot" and dumped in a road in Gravesend, in an act described as "disgusting" by a local resident.

The beasts were discovered in Whitehill Road by a passing driver at around 12.30am on January 31.

They had been left in the middle of the road, and were still warm when they were found.

Tina Davis, who lives nearby, told News Shopper she was "fuming" when she learned what had happened.

The 43-year-old said: "Someone drove by and just found them in the middle of the road. Whoever did it had tried to make it look like an accident but there were bullet holes in them.

"I am really angry as they were no trouble. They used to play in my front garden. They used to play with squeaky toys I give to my dog, they are known to play with the cats.

"A lot of us in the area leave food out for them. They are friendly and tame.

"They are no threat, if anything they are more frightened of us than we are of them.

"I am fuming. Someone has just done this out of pure nastiness, it is disgusting."

Ms Davis added she was determined to find out who was responsible for the killing.

She said: "There is no way no one heard anything. I know it was late but someone must have heard something.

"I'd really like to find out who has done it. If anyone knows anything they should come forward.

"There is just no need for it. It is just sad really."

A spokesman for Gravesham Council said: "Three dead foxes were removed by our out-of-hours team on Saturday. 

"The cause of death is not known."

This comes after, in December, Dartford Golf Club in Heath Road sparked outrage for allowing a gunman to target foxes who used the course as a toilet. 

The club later backed down after thousands of people petitioned against the action online.