Environmental health officers are investigating after four dead mink were found gutted on a grass verge.
A member of the public made the gruesome discovery in Wilmot Road, Shoreham, and alerted inspectors from Adur Watch.
A spokeswoman for Adur District Council said: "We received a call saying a bag full of rats had been dumped.
"We are trying to find out where they came from, who killed them and why they were dumped."
Anyone with information is asked to phone Adur's environmental health team on 01273 263000.
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