RSPCA inspectors and Northumbria Police have condemned the dismembering of the animal as "barbaric" and have joined forces to find the culprits.

The gruesome discovery was made by a member of the public in Cardigan Road, Sunderland, on Monday.

The fox, initially thought to be a dog, had been skinned apart from a small piece of fur on its underbelly.

Its paws were found dumped in a nearby children's playground.

RSPCA chief inspector Michelle Charlton, said: "This appears to be an extremely shocking and barbaric act of cruelty.

Prison term

"The animal has been subjected to a preliminary post mortem examination, but as a cause of death is not obvious, we cannot tell whether the fox was alive or dead when it was mutilated.

"Equally, we can't confirm whether it was shot or snared. Given the circumstances in which it was found, I can only imagine that its death was not the result of natural causes."

Ms Charlton said the possibility that the fox had been poisoned was also being investigated.

Although foxes are not protected, it is illegal under the Wild Mammals Act 1996 to mutilate them intentionally.

Anyone found guilty of the offence could face a prison term of up to six months and a fine of up to �5,000.