The RSPCA is appealing for information after four ‘suspicious’ men with dogs were spotted apparently badger baiting at a beauty spot.

A dog walker reported the incident, which took place on land off Audley Road near Alsager Golf and Country Club, Stoke Staffordshire to the RSPCA which has launched an investigation.

The four men were seen on a badger sett with four bull lurcher-type dogs before the dog walker shouted at them, causing them to run off. One of the men was carrying his dog, which is believed to have been injured in the incident. Fresh blood was around the sett.

The witness said the quartet escaped in a 1990s-style Land Rover Discovery, either black or grey in colour and covered in mud, which had been parked near Foxley Farm. Inspector Andy Harris, of the RSPCA, is now investigating. He said: “The witness was able to take some video of the men as they made their escape and we have released the still images in the hope someone can identify them.

“He found fresh blood on the sett which I believe is from one of the dogs as one of the men was seen to carry his away as though it was injured.

“The badger too may have been injured in this attack but we were unable to locate it when we went to the scene.

“Sadly badger baiting is something which we are seeing more of. We’ve dealt with numerous cases where groups of men go out across the countryside and farmland with their dogs to track down and kill badgers, foxes, deer and anything else that may get in their way.

“This is gratuitous killing for fun.

We are not reproducing the photos of the suspects but they can be seen here. It is worth remembering that this area is very close to the motorway network and the individuals may have travelled some distance.

Anyone with any information should contact the RSPCA in the first instance.