A CROSSBOW thug shot six hedgehogs and lined up the dying creatures to show off his gruesome handiwork.

The killings follow a nearby knife attack on three hedgehogs earlier this month.

Last night RSPCA inspector Richard Lythgoe said: “This is one of the most malicious incidents of animal cruelty I have had to deal with. The bodies of six adult hedgehogs were found lined up in a row for everyone to see.

“I found hole marks on each of their bodies which could not have been caused by an animal attack. Our initial thoughts are that these hedgehogs could have been shot with a crossbow.” Fortunately the animals, pictured above are healthy.

A dog walker who stumbled upon the chilling scene in Cambridge told Tracy Okten, 48, of her find. She said: “They had been lined up by a bush. I was horrified when I heard it had happened again. They are obviously deranged psychopaths.”