POLICE have launched an appeal after a group of youths caught a duckling with a hook and dragged it until it died.

West Yorkshire Police's Wildlife & Rural Crime Team posted the appeal on its Facebook page this afternoon.

A number of young people were spotted first catching a duckling with a hook at Howell Wood, in South Kirkby last night.

They then dragged it through the water until it died.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Howell Wood, in South KirkbyHowell Wood, in South Kirkby (Image: Google Street View)

If you have any information that could help police with their investigation, you should contact them on 101, or using the contact options on the West Yorkshire Police website.

You should quote crime reference: 13230358774.

The team also posted another appeal after another group of youths approached an active badger sett and threw items down it on June 25.

If you can help with this, you should follow the same steps as above and quote crime reference number: 13230358285.

Finally, the Wildlife & Rural Team provided its usual daily update on the incidents it has dealt with over the past 24 hours.

There were 40 in total involving animals - 29 were dog-related (welfare, loose, dangerous or bite), six loose farm animals and six described as "other".