Badger baiters are being blamed for the deaths of a number of badgers found decapitated by a walker. The RSPCA fears the killers took the heads as trophies before dumping the bodies near Titchfield in Hampshire.
Two of the badgers were discovered by a member of the public in Frog Lane. A third body was later discovered nearby.
"People responsible for badger baiting do not care about the badgers or their dogs, and it vital they are stopped," said RSPCA inspector Jenny Ride.
Ms Ride said the badgers may have been a family removed from one sett. She appealed for anyone with any information to come forward.
She added: "If these beautiful creatures were the victims of badger baiting then it is likely that a number of people were involved."