Community shop volunteers arrived at work to find dead animals scattered in front of their building.

The bodies of about 50 dead hares, a barn owl and a kestrel were dumped outside Broughton Community Shop in Hampshire on Friday, police said.

There has been a public outcry after pictures of the scene circulated on social media.

Shop treasurer Mike Hensman said it had been “devastating” for the workers.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police received the report at about 06:20 GMT on Friday.

Images taken by shop staff show the hares’ bodies scattered in front of the building.

One volunteer said the two birds “were impaled on the shop door handles” and had to be removed to get into the shop.

Police said the animals were collected and officers were investigating.