POLICE are hunting for three men after a rabbit was savaged by dogs at Broadstone Recreation Ground.

Dorset Police want to speak to any witnesses who saw the deliberate act of animal cruelty on Saturday around 11.15am.

They believe the dogs were being trained to course the rabbits.

Witnesses described seeing three men bringing two cages containing rabbits and three dogs onto the recreation ground in Lower Blandford Road, close to Barn Road.

It is believed a child, around the age of seven, was also present.

The men released a rabbit from the cage and set the dogs onto the rabbit, police say. This continued for several minutes until the rabbit had died.

"One witness stated it appeared the men had one cream coloured adult greyhound and two young greyhound type puppies and were 'training up' the younger dogs to 'course' the rabbits", said PC Claire Dinsdale, rural crime co-ordinator at Dorset Police.

One man was also seen pulling the rabbit from the dogs jaws more than once before setting the dogs onto the animal again, she said.

The rabbits appeared to be captured wild rabbits, grey and brown in colour with white tails.

The men are described as white, in their 30s and 40s, one of a large build and two thin. One was wearing a navy blue top with red writing on the back.

It is believed they parked in the car park in the access road off Lower Blandford Road, close to Barns Road.

PC Dinsdale, added: "We are appealing for further witnesses who may have seen these men on Saturday morning at the rec, may know who they are or saw the vehicle they were in."

Call police on 101 quoting incident number 06:129.