A flock of 14 chickens was found cruelly dumped in wheelie bins – in the scorching summer heat.
The birds were discovered in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire after a stunned member of the public noticed a lone chicken wandering down a lane off the town’s Kirk Road.
The distressed birds were stuffed inside and piled on top of each other in the two bins on Wednesday in 24-degree temperatures.
Two of the animals were dead when discovered and the others have been described as being in “very poor condition” and in “great distress”.
An animal welfare officer who found them said the conditions would’ve been “unimaginably hot” for the birds.
Scottish SPCA was alerted to the shocking find and are now appealing for any information related to the incident.
Inspector Emma Sergeant, said: “The white and brown chickens were found in two wheelie bins in very poor condition.
“The lane where they were found is beside Toni’s Fish and Chip shop and the bus stop.
“When I first opened the bins, there was an awful stench.
“They were piled on top of each other and were in great distress.
“There were two dead birds and the other chickens were clearly struggling.
“It was 24 degrees that day so it would have been unimaginably hot for them.
“We have yet to confirm whether the chickens died as a result of being inside the wheelie bins or if they were dead before being placed inside.
“However, someone deliberately put these girls in the bin with complete disregard for their welfare.
“They were caused great unnecessary suffering due to this act.”