A MAN who was reportedly found sexually abusing a dying beaver while high on drugs has avoided jail for the bizarre attack.

Richard Delp, a 35-year-old homeless man, was charged with animal cruelty but will not be put behind bars, a court ruled.

4 Whitney initially moved the injured beaver out of the way of traffic Credit: Facebook

Witness Whitney Nycole said on her Facebook page that she had come across the animal while driving through, Kennewick, Washington.

She initially put the beaver on a towel and dragged him out of the way of traffic before driving home to find a box so she could take him to a local vet.

However, when she returned she found a man lying next to the animal and at first she thought he was helping the creature.

But Nycole quickly realised that the man was partially clothed and had his trousers unzipped, according to the Tri-City Herald.

It is not known if the beaver was alive while being abused but by the time the police arrived it was already dead.

Nycole also confirmed the beaver was dead.

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Cops arrested Richard Delp, 35, at the scene and was charged with animal cruelty as well as methamphetamine possession.

The homeless man was then held at Benton County jail without bail.

4 Whitney was shocked when she discovered what the man was doing Credit: Facebook

4 Whitney Nycole came across the beaver as she was driving in Columbia Park Credit: Facebook