Woman hits backs at claims tortured animal was 'just a fox'

The woman, who does not wish to be named, was disturbed by the sound of an animal screaming near Turners Close in Warndon, Worcester soon after seeing three people enter the thickly wooded area.

CONCERN: Cllr Jill Desayrah, pictured near Turners Close play area where the 'blood curdling screams' were heard by a resident - she has been in contact with the resident directly about her concerns (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

However, people on the Worcester News Facebook page have speculated she probably heard the ordinary calls and cries of a fox - and that no animal was hurt.

However, the woman has hit back at claims the tortured animal was 'just a fox' making ordinary calls. The animal lover has insisted she knows very well what a fox sounds like and recognised at one that the animal was in pain and distress. 

Meanwhile, the RSPCA has called the incident 'concerning' and urged people to report such incidents as soon as possible.

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Even the witness did not see what type of animal was being tortured she remains convinced the animal, which she believes was a dog, was in terrible pain during the ordeal.

"There were three people there and I was 10ft away. I know what fox sounds like. I have lived here for seven years - no - it was not a fox but it was an animal being abused, screaming in fear and pain," she said.

The woman heard the 'sickening screams' of what she believes was a dog being abused coming from within thick undergrowth.

She says the incident happened on August 7 between 9pm and 10pm when a group of young adults entered the park. They were seen running into a den-like area concealed by bushes, she said, shortly followed by the screams which lasted three to four minutes.

Meanwhile, police have stepped up patrols in the area, responding to concerns raised by Cllr Jill Desayrah on behalf of residents.

The resident said she then heard the 'sickening screams of an animal being beaten/abused'. The incident has since been reported to both West Mercia Police and the RSPCA.

Fighting back tears, she said: "At the time I was in pieces. I love animals. It was just screams, blood-curdling screams. It was so piercing. This wasn't a yelp - it was screaming. It was horrible. That night I could not sleep."

The den is in thick undergrowth right next to a children's play park where she says people have sex and take drugs. 

"I don't care what they do with themselves in there but you must not hurt the animals," she said.

The resident says she later found a stick with bite marks at both ends.

Cllr Jill Desayrah has also raised concerns about the incident. The Warndon city councillor said: "Part of the horror of this situation is where it was - right next to a children's play park - the only children's play park in Warndon."

She said she hoped more witnesses may be able to come forward to provide more information about what happened, reporting it either to West Mercia Police or the RSPCA.

PC Allan Figueiredo, Safer Neighbourhood officer for Gorse Hill Safer Neighbourhood Team, said he has spoken with Cllr Jill Desayrah about the issue and addeed: "We will still be patrolling the park area."

Although the RSPCA could not find a record of the incident being reported to them, a charity spokesperson said the incident sounded 'very concerning'.

A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: “Any suggestion that an animal has been harmed is a cause for concern. We’d appeal to anyone with information about animals being harmed to contact us on 0300 1234 999.”