Residents have spoken of their dismay after a spate of fox deaths where their remains have been "dumped" on a driveway.

The grizzly discoveries have prompted Romney Marsh residents to alert the authorities.

More than five of the protected species have been discovered deceased on one road in Greatstone over the past week, KentOnline understands.

A poster on a lamppost near Roberts Road, where the animals were found, reads: “Stop poisoning foxes, you are wicked and cruel, and stop putting them on our drive when you’ve killed them.

“It is against the law to intentionally put poison down to harm foxes under the Wildlife Act 1911 - it is illegal.”

A conviction for causing unnecessary suffering to foxes, moles and mink carries a potential jail sentence and fine up to £20,000.

Nursery school worker Lisa Thompson, who lives on Roberts Road, told how her elderly neighbour discovered a number of the creatures “dumped on the driveway.”

And she described her shock after recently finding a dead fox in her garden, which was taken to a vet for post-mortem.

She said: “It’s very sinister, someone has been picking up dead foxes and putting them on my neighbour’s driveway - I think they were discovered in the morning.

“We think their death is down to a case of accidental poisoning, because there is no evidence of them being harmed in any other way.

“It seems someone is going out of their way to pick them up when they’re dead and then place them on her drive, which is at the end of the quiet road.

She continued: “We actually found one dead fox in our garden, my husband examined it and he believed this one had been shot.”

"It’s very sad humans can be so cruel"

The series of deaths has sparked speculation on The Real Marsh Watch Facebook page, with one resident explaining his dog was poisoned.

John Mitchell wrote: “I had taken my dog for a walk on the beach where she ate something which looked like meat.

“(I) ended up having to take her to the vets costing close to £100.

“I support all animals and they all should be protected, and these evil people should not get away with that.”

Daphne Kellar added: “It’s very sad humans can be so cruel, it has been reported dead foxes and a cub being found in Dymchurch car park, I hope it’s not the same evil person.”

Kazandrew Chapman continued: "(It's) so sad, some pathetic human doing this to feel some sense of power, probably, has major issues."

An RSPCA spokesman said: "We would encourage anyone with information about any animal being deliberately poisoned to report it to our cruelty and advice line on 0300 1234 999."

Kent Police and Hythe District Council have been contacted for comment.