Horrified members of an animal rescue charity have appealed for information after a dead rabbit in a bag was found dumped in a Dartford lake earlier this morning.

The brick-filled bag containing the deceased animal was spotted floating in Brooklands Lake by passers-by who originally thought it was a dog.

On arrival, members of the Animals Lost and Found in Kent rescue group retrieved the bag and confirmed that the animal was dead.

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Speaking to News Shopper, Natasha McPhee of the animal rescue group said that a man walking his dog managed to fish the bag out of the water as other dog-walkers contacted both the group and Kent Police.

"We went out first thing this morning and we could tell that it had clearly been there for a few hours.

"It does look as though it was alive when it was thrown in, you can tell by the signs of stress in its face," she said.

A post published on the group's website noted that a blue blanket accompanied the rabbit and that no microchip could be found.

The group are now checking CCTV cameras in the area and are encouraging anybody with information to call Kent Police on 101 with the reference number 19-0319.