THE RSPCA and police yesterday condemned ''mindless thugs'' who skinned a fox and dumped its mutilated remains at a bus stop.

The animal was skinned apart from a small piece of fur on its underbelly. Its tail had also been cut off.

The fox's front paws were later found dumped in a nearby children's play area.

The remains were found by a member of the public at the bus stop in Cardigan Road, Sunderland, on Monday evening.

It was first thought to have been a male fox.

RSPCA chief inspector Michelle Charlton, who is investigating the incident, said everyone involved in the case had been left shocked.

''This appears to be an extremely shocking and barbaric act of cruelty," she said.

''The body has been subjected to a preliminary post -mortem examination, but a cause of death is not obvious.

"We cannot tell whether the fox was alive or dead when it was mutilated. Equally, we cannot confirm whether it was shot or snared.

"Given the circumstances in which it was found, I can only imagine that its death was not the result of natural causes."

The RSPCA said it was not ruling out that the fox was poisoned.

Acting Inspector Graham Lockey, of Northumbria Police, said: "This is a despicable act, which, fortunately, is a very rare occurrence.

"I am sure that someone will know the identity of the person or persons responsible, and I would encourage anyone with information to contact police."

Although foxes are not protected, it is illegal under the Wild Mammals Act 1996 intentionally to mutilate a fox.

Anyone found guilty of such an offence could face a prison term of up to six months and a fine of up to £5,000.