A walker was surprised to find a dead porpoise washed up with its fins “cut off” on a Kent shore.

Shaun Mills came across the animal on Shellness Beach on Sheppey at around 10am.

“I was walking my son’s dogs with my grandson when we came across it,” he explained. “It seemed to me a bit strange that all of its fins were missing.

“It was about 2ft long and I was unable to see any other damage to the animal.”

Shaun, who shared the picture on Facebook, says it looks to have had its fins cut off.

Porpoises have a similar appearance to dolphins, but are more closely related to narwhals and belugas.

One person commented: “That's sad, poor thing. So many get washed up on our beaches.”

Another added: “Maybe seagulls or other birds got to the fins.”

Dolphins have previously been spotted playing near the Island. Those travelling on a Jetstream Tours trip by the SS Montgomery captured a lovely moment on video.

The creatures have also sadly been found washed up on both Whitstable beach in August last year and The Warren, Folkestone, during February 2021.

Shaun said: “I wasn’t aware that you had to report it.

“I’ve walked that shoreline for more than 20 years and seen all sorts washed up – from animals to old Second World War explosives.

“It seems to me that most things end up around there.”

A spokeswoman from HM Coastguard said: “Members of Sheppey Coastguard Rescue Team were out on patrol this afternoon when a member of the public made them aware of a deceased porpoise near Shellness.

“The coastguard rescue officers attended and passed on the relevant information onto the appropriate authorities including the UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme.”

Swale Borough Council added: “We were aware of the deceased porpoise near Shellness beach and the relevant authorities have been notified.”