The footpath where teenagers were shooting frogs near Forum Way, Chartfields at Kingsnorth

by James Scott

Frogs and toads were left mutilated and dying after being shot by a group of teenagers with an air gun.

The cruelty was spotted by a dog walker on a footpath off Forum Way, Chartfields in Kingsnorth, near Ashford.

The 28-year-old NHS employee, who did not want to be named, encountered five teenagers gathered by a street light shooting the amphibians with a pistol.

He said: “I heard the crack of an air gun and I yelled out 'Oi, are you shooting frogs?’

“They said they weren’t, but I saw two injured frogs by my feet which the dog was sniffing. They said 'What are you going to do about it?’ so I called the police.”

The walker, who described himself as an animal lover, added: “Normally people would just walk past and think it was just lads being lads, but I’m not having them shooting innocent little frogs which are just sitting on a path after coming out of hibernation.

“It was just needless animal cruelty. I found it disgusting to be honest.”

The youngsters, believed to be between the ages of 13 and 15, left before a police patrol arrived on the scene.

A local inspector from the RSPCA arrived to check on the frogs the next day.

Klare Kennett, a spokesman from the animal welfare charity, was appalled by the incident.

She said: “It is unbelievable that someone would cause this kind of suffering to helpless animals. March is the time of year when toads are on the move – they have just come out of hibernation and are crawling off to ponds to breed, so you see more of them about.

“This was mindless, horrible cruelty and those responsible were breaking the law.”

She warned that those found responsible could face up to six months in prison or a fine of up to £20,000.

Anyone with information is asked to phone Kent Police on 101.

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