The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is calling for people to come forward after anti-Brexit lawyer Jolyon Maugham shared a “distressing” story about killing a fox with a baseball bat this morning.

“Already this morning I have killed a fox with a baseball bat,” reported the QC, who has taken part in a number of high-profile Brexit-related lawsuits, on social media. “How’s your Boxing Day going?”

It is unclear what response Maugham was hoping to elicit, but the one he received was not particularly positive, with a number of people asking the RSPCA — an animal welfare charity which pursues thousands of private prosecutions for animal cruelty each year — to intervene.

“This is distressing to hear,” the charity replied to one concerned social media user.

“We’d urge anyone with firsthand knowledge to report it to us by calling 0300 1234 999.”

Already this morning I have killed a fox with a baseball bat. How's your Boxing Day going? — Jo Maugham QC (@JolyonMaugham) December 26, 2019

This is distressing to hear. We'd urge anyone with firsthand knowledge to report it to us by calling 0300 1234 999. — RSPCA (England & Wales) (@RSPCA_official) December 26, 2019

Maugham, who claims he has “called and spoke to the RSPCA and left my contact details”, said he was wearing his wife’s “too small green kimono” at the time of the killing, and that he had the baseball bat in his possession “to discourage intruders”.

He also said that he did not “especially enjoy” clubbing the fox to death “but I imagine that’s what the RSCPA would have done, if they had anyone on call in Central London on Boxing Day.”

The fox had reportedly got “caught up in the protective netting around the chickens” and he “wasn’t sure what else to do”.

I bought it to discourage intruders. — Jo Maugham QC (@JolyonMaugham) December 26, 2019

I didn't especially enjoy killing it but I imagine that's what the RSPCA would have done, if they had anyone on call in Central London on Boxing Day. — Jo Maugham QC (@JolyonMaugham) December 26, 2019

What a nasty piece of work you are. I long suspected as much and now you have confirmed it. I hope that you are held to account for bludgeoning that fox to death – cc @RSPCA_official @BlueFoxCAFH @LeagueACS @peta @rickygervais — GammonRay #FTEU (@RTUtopia) December 26, 2019

I had a breakfast wrap, now watching TV, briefly wondered how ruthless you actually are/ if you have elements of Psycopathy in your persona. More likely NPD though if you felt the need to post that for fun, seeking retweet attention

since not really asking for any answer. #motive — Politoons (@MarkHindle01) December 26, 2019

I follow you because I have been interested in your Brexit commentary but will unfollow now as I am appalled by bragging about cruelty to animals. — Victoria Hallum (@VictoriaHallum) December 26, 2019

Of course, a normal person would find some thick gloves, a pair of scissors and cut the netting away… Unfortunately, an overinflated ego and sense of entitlement meant Jolyon fetched a baseball bat and clubbed a helpless fox to death before tweeting about it.@RSPCA_official pic.twitter.com/VpxaadyY8E — FoxtrotCop Esq. (@Foxtrot_Cop) December 26, 2019

The fox wanted to leave but Jolyon wouldn’t let it — Chris Sneller (@ChrisSneller) December 26, 2019

Follow Jack Montgomery on Twitter: @JackBMontgomery