Two north Cumbrian teenagers who boasted about cock-fighting and using dogs to hunt wildlife on social media have admitted a string of animal welfare offences.

An RSPCA investigation into the 16-year-olds - who cannot be named for legal reasons - uncovered footage of them using dogs to attack hares, as well as clips of cock fighting.

One teenager was banned from keeping all animals for three years and given an 11 month referral order by the district judge at Carlisle Youth Court on Monday after he admitted four offences of taking part in a cock fight, four offences of hunting hares with a dog and four offences of causing unnecessary suffering to cockerels.

He was also ordered by the court to pay £750 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

A second youth admitted one offence of hunting a hare with a dog, in breach of the Hunting Act, for which he was fined £100, as well as being ordered to pay £500 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

The court heard that the police alerted the RSPCA to various posts made by the defendants in which they had posted clips of cock fighting and dogs killing hares.

Warrants were carried out by the police, with RSPCA officers in attendance, in May last year and four cockerels were removed from one address.

The court this week issued a deprivation order and the cockerels are currently in the RSPCA’s care and will be found loving new homes.

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Cumbria Police has released a short video, which was used as evidence in court, showing cock-fighting.

Some readers may find the contents distressing, and so the News & Star has chosen to include the video in a separate article to allow you the choice whether to watch it.

Click here to watch the video .

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RSPCA inspector Pippa Boyd said: “We worked closely with Cumbria Police on this investigation and I am pleased that between us we have been able to bring these matters to the court’s attention.

“The district judge made it clear throughout the hearing that they took an extremely dim view of what they described as the defendants’ “deplorable” behaviour.

“Hopefully the outcome of this case will act as a deterrent to anyone else who thinks that they can break the law involving animals and get away with it.”

PC Sarah Rolland, from Cumbria Police, said: “This case demonstrates how seriously Cumbria Police takes wildlife crime and how we work closely with the RSPCA to ensure that offenders of these appalling crimes are brought to justice.

“I am pleased to see that these teenagers have been punished for what they did to those innocent animals. It should send a strong message to all those who think they can get away with such offences. It will not be tolerated and we will work hard to ensure you are brought before the courts.”

A third individual will appear back before Carlisle Youth Court on 8 March to face trial over related allegations.