POLICE are hunting a group of teenagers who seriously injured a duck by kicking, jumping on and swinging it around its neck

The youngsters, who had two dogs with them, one of them a springer spaniel, carried out the attack in Feltham Lane, Frome, at around 2pm yesterday (Sunday).

The animal was then dumped in a nearby field.

Police say the lead offender was white, in his mid-teens, 5ft 10ins, of medium to large build and wearing dark green clothing. Following the attack, he ran off in the Mount direction.

Investigating officer PC Jennifer Shere-Massey said: “This was a particularly disturbing attack on a defenceless bird which caused great distress to those who witnessed it.

“The duck was located and rescued and its chances of survival are currently estimated at 50/50.

“We want to identify all those responsible, particularly the lead offenders.

"If you have information which could help, please call us on 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5221021920.”