The bodies of three blackbirds tied in blue bailing-type twine have been found in Donington.
RSPCA animal welfare officer (AWO) Becky Harper said: “On first examination there was no obvious cause of death, but I believe the birds were tied up once they were dead.
“The twine is clearly tied by hand, this not an accidental entanglement and there are no injuries to the birds’ legs.
“The bodies were found on a bend in the road, under a hedge, but they had not been dumped in a heap and they appear to have been spread out.”
The birds were found in Ash Court.
• Anyone with information on this or similar incidents is urged to call the RSPCA cruelty line on 0300 1234999.