It is believed the attackers climbed over a fence

Police said the animal was attacked after four children managed to get into its enclosure at Dudley Zoo on 5 May.

Two 11-year-old children face two charges of animal cruelty, while a 10-year-old is accused of a single count of the same offence.

Another boy, who was nine at the time of the attack, has been referred to Dudley's youth offending team.

Staff at the zoo said they were sickened by the attack on wallaby, which was five months old when it died.

The three children - who cannot be named for legal reasons - are all due to appear before Dudley Youth Court on Thursday.