A DISTURBING package containing what was thought to be a dead puppy wrapped in pink tissue paper was actually intended for a taxidermist.

As previously reported, a woman from Basingstoke spoke of her trauma and shock when she opened a parcel delivered to her home containing what she thought was a dead puppy wrapped in pink tissue paper.

Read more: Woman traumatised after receiving package with dead puppy wrapped in pink tissue paper

She took the disturbing parcel to the police investigation centre in Viables but said she was told by staff that the police would not investigate the incident.

Now, a taxidermist from Basingstoke has been in touch with the Gazette to say she believes the parcel was meant for her and was in fact a dead kitten.

Taxidermy is a way of preparing and stuffing an animal for display or study after it has died.

The taxidermist said: “The kitten was very sadly stillborn and the owner decided she would like to have them preserved rather than simply put them in the bin.

"Unfortunately, as you are aware, the kitten was delivered to the wrong address and the woman who opened the package had no context and was understandably concerned that this could relate to an animal cruelty case."

Hampshire Constabulary is yet to comment on why it did not initially investigate the incident. 

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A spokesperson said: "On Wednesday 12 July, a woman made a report at the front counter of the Police Investigation Centre in Jays Close to say that she had received a parcel in the post with a dead animal inside.

"The package had the woman’s address on it, but there was a different name to that of the woman’s on the package.

"The incident was recorded and passed to Basingstoke’s Neighbourhood Policing Team to make enquiries.

"Those enquiries have confirmed that the dead animal should have been sent to a taxidermist, but the woman received it as there was an error on the address.

"No crimes have been identified and the person who received the package, and the person who sent it, have been updated."