YOBS killed a pigeon after shooting a catapult at the animal before then taking aim at a fox in a nearby park, according to campaigners.

A pair of teens were allegedly seen shooting stones at a pigeon on the corner of Elmhurst Avenue and High Road, Benfleet.

Members of the Suffolk and Essex hunt saboteurs association claim the same group were then seen a mile away firing a catapult at foxes in Benfleet’s Richmond Park

A passerby stepped in to protect the foxes and it is not believed any were injured.

However, the campaign group claim two dead crows found in Richmond Hall car park appear to have been shot with a catapult as well.

It is the latest in a long line of incidents.

A spokesman for hunt saboteurs said: “It’s deeply concerning wildlife is under attack yet again in Benfleet, this time at a very busy time of day along a busy road and in a busy park.

“Two teenage boys were seen using catapults to kill birds.

“Fortunately a member of the public intervened when they saw them taking aim at a fox.

“It’s only been a week since the four fox cubs were killed in another park in the area and it seems likely these two teenagers could be the culprits.”

The group also raised a concern the latest incidents, which took place on Saturday, could be linked to the fox cubs killed on May 3 in Villa Park, Benfleet.

Godfrey Isaacs, Tory councillor for community safety, slammed anyone who is targetting animals.

He said: “It is just appalling and disgusting and I am lost for words.

“We don’t want this sort of thing going on anywhere and especially not in our borough.

“I think the problem is these kids have nothing better to do.

“I think it’s so sad that our society has a stooped so low and these kids do not realise that their actions have consequences.”

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He said parents must be keeping tabs on their children and be aware of their activities.

The incident was reported to police by the hunt saboteurs.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.