Two kittens are feared to have died while trapped in a cat carrier which was dumped in a field.
A horrified member of the public made the grim discovery.
She alerted the RSPCA which has now launched an investigation.
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One of the young cats was tabby and white and the other was black and white.
They were both as young as six-months-old.
The kittens were found on Leys Lane near the junction with Doe Quarry Lane in Dinnington, near Rotherham.
Vets said their bodies were too decomposed to be able to carry out a post mortem.
Neither of the kittens were microchipped, as reported on Need To Know.
RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Katie Hetherington said: “It was a really distressing find for the member of the public to come across.
“And we’d like to thank her for stopping to investigate and reporting the matter to us.
“Given their condition, we think the kittens had sadly been deceased for several days and it wasn’t possible to tell if they were alive or dead when they were put in the carrier.
“It’s always a sad and depressing sight when we see vulnerable young animals in circumstances like this.
“We don’t know the background, and we appreciate the difficulties some people are experiencing right now.
“But abandoning your pet, or not seeking appropriate veterinary help if it’s needed, is never acceptable.
“There is help and support available and we would urge people to contact their vets, local rescues and animal welfare charities.”
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