Photo evidence of urban fox hunting

This shocking image shows an urban fox with a chain bolted through its leg - amid growing fears they are being used to bait fighting dogs.

Campaigners have released a picture of a cub discovered with a chain threaded through one of its hind legs.

A hole had been drilled through the animal's flesh after it was caught by poachers in south east London.



It is feared that fighting dogs are being let loose on the trapped animals either for "fun" or as practice for illegal fights.

The animal in the picture above - named Jingles by rescuers - managed to chew through the leather strapping on the chain and escape its captor.

Nets and snares have been discovered in wooded land in the Rotherhithe area of London, along with large zip-up laundry bags hidden in undergrowth. And police are investigating reports of residents spotting gangs in the woods with iron bars and dogs.