AN animal sanctuary owner has blasted a "sick" attacker who beheaded a baby wallaby after breaking into its compound.

Clifford Spedding discovered the torso of the marsupial, which was less than a year old, on Thursday morning at his Hope Animal Sanctuary, in Loftus, east Cleveland.

The albino animal's head was missing and one of its legs, which had been sliced off, lay next to it.

Days earlier, Mr Spedding had found the body of the wallaby's four-year-old mother in the same compound and assumed it had died naturally.

But now he has called in police and RSPCA officers to investigate the deaths.

"When the first one died I thought it was of natural causes and buried it," he said. "With the second one I thought a dog had got in, but I took it down to the vet and he said 'no, it's head has been hacked off'. Now I wonder if there is a connection.

"I've no idea why anyone would do it - it's such a shock.

"There's a 6ft fence around the compound which the person must have climbed over, although we heard nothing. I'm now going to have to get better security."

Mr Spedding, 42, has run his award-winning rescue centre for 20 years, caring for everything from dogs and cats to seagulls and llamas. He took in his first wallaby nine years ago when its owner could no longer handle it.

"They're just like a small kangaroo and really popular with the kids who come down in the summer to see them," he said. "I just can't believe what has happened - it's sick."

Two weeks ago thieves took three rare Australian ducks.

PC Eddie O'Hara, of Loftus police, said patrols were being stepped up.

"We don't think any of the crimes are connected to travelling criminals - it will be somebody local. The sanctuary is near a wooded area and Clifford has suffered over the years with vandalism. He puts a lot of work into that place - it's his life."

An RSPCA spokeswoman said: "Unfortunately no matter how much you hear about animal cruelty there are still things that can surprise you and sicken you. This is an appalling crime."

Anyone with information on the attacks should call PC O'Hara on 07736 622727.

Anyone interested in making a donation to the sanctuary can call Mr Spedding on 07957 472659 or drop into the centre at 1 Whitecliffe Cottage, Loftus, TS13 4AN.

The Northern Echo launched its award-winning Animal Watch campaign to highlight the region's appalling record of animal cruelty.