A DECAPITATED deer and its fawn have been found by a dog walker in Darlington.

The gruesome discovery was made yesterday morning (Sunday, January 18) on the footpath along the River Skerne, near the Five Arches railway bridge, in Darlington.

PC Stu Dawson, of Darlington police, said the animals, which were also skinned, were found in a bin bag.

“The man has been walking his dog yesterday morning near the Five Arches and where the path goes off into a wooded area his dog started barking at a bin bag,” he said.

“Inside the bag was a decapitated and skinned deer with its fawn, which had also been decapitated and skinned.

“As far as I am aware, there are no deer in the area, so someone may have been out poaching and left it there to come back for as they are all skinned.”

He appealed for any witnesses, or if anyone who knows someone who has been poaching in the area, to get in touch on 101.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.