An MP has said he is 'disgusted' after five dead rabbits were found lined up on a bus stop bench in County Durham.
The animals were discovered on Front Street in Pelton at around 8.30am on Saturday (September 5) by a member of the public who branded it 'horrifying' and 'quite alarming'.
The rabbits were removed that morning by staff from the local authority, police have now confirmed.
Luke Akehurst MP said the incident had caused 'great distress' to residents.
He said: "I'm disgusted by this incident, which has caused great distress to residents.
"I will be speaking to the police about whether this is part of a wider pattern of antisocial behaviour and how they can identify the perpetrators."
Pelton resident of 17 years, Louise, spotted the rabbits while driving past with her young son.
She stopped to take a photograph and later shared it on Facebook to warn others.
Louise said: "I was taking my little boy to football, we were just driving past around 9am and I saw it and was just feeling complete shock.
"It was the way they were just placed there looking as if it was purposeful. It was just horrible - who would do that?
"Especially on such a public road that so many people, including kids go past, it's horrifying and quite alarming."
She said she was particularly disturbed that the rabbits had been left at a public bus stop.
The animals had been removed by around 10.45am.
Louise said she had planned to remove them herself on the way back, but they had already been taken away.
Louise added: "I just thought I'm going to put it out there just so people are aware of everything that's going on because it's not something you want happening where you live.
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"You know, when you've lived somewhere for so long, you want to protect your community and you don't want things like this going on."
A Durham Police spokesperson said: "At approximately 8.30am on Saturday, a member of the public reported the discovery of five dead rabbits, which were found on the bench of a bus shelter in Front Street, Pelton.
"They were removed that morning by staff from the local authority."
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