LUCKY cockerels believed to have been used for fighting were re-homed after being left behind by a group of travellers.

The unauthorised encampment, in a field off Chappel Road in Fordham, saw a number of caravans set up camp.

But when the group left on Sunday, residents say as well as piles of rubbish and human excrement, the two wounded birds were left behind.

However, a kind villager has taken it upon herself to nurse one of the pair, now named Larry, back to health while the second bird now has a new home in Hatfield Peverel.

Speaking after she first found the birds, she said: “Other than the broken glass, rubbish and human excrement they also left behind two fighting cockerels.

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“This poor chicken is in such a bad way. No tail, massive wound, can barely stand and has a swollen face.

“How they can treat animals like this is beyond me.”

She also said the second bird had blue twine knotted around its leg where it had been tied up.

Larry has now been re-homed by the woman.

She added: “To be honest the poor chicken was a lot worse than those initial photos.

“I bathed him in medicated shampoo which revealed a lot more chunks out of him underneath all his feathers.

“Despite his broken toe he is taking ownership of our garden walking around and enjoying the sun without a care in the world.”

Residents have contacted Harwich and North Essex MP Sir Bernard Jenkin on the issue of animal cruelty after the latest unauthorised incursion.

A spokesman for Sir Bernard has responded, labelling the incursion as “illegal” and said the MP would speak to a number of people about the practice.

He added: “Sir Bernard has raised this in person with several senior officers at Essex Police in recent years and it is most frustrating that it remains an ongoing issue.

“In recent weeks, Sir Bernard wrote to the Police and Crime Commissioner about the need for police to be able to tackle this problem head on.

“In the short term, Sir Bernard is arranging a meeting with the landowner early next week and will offer his support in having the most recent incident addressed.”

The MP will also lobby the National Farmers’ Union to come up with better ways to tackle the issue in the future.

A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: “The RSPCA has not received any reports regarding these two birds, but it does sound concerning.

“We would, therefore, always urge anyone who has any information regarding incidents of animal cruelty to report them to us on 0300 1234 999.”

Although the woman has become quite fond of Larry, she has also appealed for anyone with better facilities for Larry to contact the Gazette on 01206 508478.