An investigation has been launched after children reportedly beat a wild rat in the street.

The youths are said to have kicked and attacked the wild animal with a stick in Observatory Way, Ramsgate.

A good Samaritan intervened and took the rat, which was in a cage, away from the children however, it died by the following morning.

RSPCA investigator Clive Hopwood is calling for those involved to come forward.

“We’re concerned to have received reports about young people targeting a rat in a cage in Ramsgate,” he said.

“I’m really keen to hear from the young people themselves, or from anyone who recognises their description, so I can speak to them about treating wildlife with kindness and respect and prevent behaviour like this in future.”

Security footage has shown six young people between the ages of approximately seven and fifteen involved in the act.

There were four boys, three of whom were wearing dark shorts and one who was wearing dark tracksuit bottoms.

Two girls - both with long hair, one of whom was wearing a dark top, the other a red top - were also seen.

One of the boys and two of the girls had scooters.

A spokesman for the charity added: “A stigma still surrounds rats - many people will be surprised to learn that they are highly intelligent, empathetic and social creatures.”

The RSPCA is urging anyone with information to get in touch via the charity’s appeal line on 0300 123 8018, quoting 1266450.

The incident happened just weeks after KentOnline exposed the sick world of animal abusers on TikTok.

We told how disturbing vidoes of animal cruelty were being uploaded to the site in search of likes, and with little policing from the social media giant.