A FEMALE fox cub was treated at an animal hospital after being beaten with a tennis racket.

A resident found a cruel person attacking the vixen and it was taken to the South Essex Wildlife Hospital in Orsett.

A spokesman said: “The fox cub patients are now arriving daily with a variety of reasons for needing our help.

“This young vixen was bought in by the RSPCA on Sunday after a woman found it being given a hard battering by someone with a tennis racket.

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“We are hoping they do a press release to try and catch the culprit.

“The cub is showing neurological signs so is now receiving the appropriate treatment.

“It is vital that we find good release sites for our cubs where they are not persecuted or hunted. Please get in touch if you can help.”