The family behind Mapperton House have been left distraught after a visitor to the estate cruelly wrung a duck's neck and tossed its body into the long grass.

Julie Montagu, Viscountess Hinchingbrooke of Mapperton Estate, hit out in a video posted to social media telling how her 10-year-old runner duck, a mainstay of the attraction, was chased down by a woman's dog and subsequently strangled by its owner and thrown aside.

Runner ducks are a huge part of Mapperton House and are left to freely run around the grounds in Beaminster.

The team at the estate have been left heartbroken, Viscountess Hinchingbrooke said, following the cruel actions of a woman who took it upon herself to end the life of a 10-year-old duck and subsequently toss it into a hedge.

Viscountess Hinchingbrooke said in the video: “Unfortunately our lovely white runner duck who has been at Mapperton for 10 years was chased down by a possible brown and white possible terrier dog, the owner saw this happening and the duck was flapping.

"The owner took the duck in her hands and strangled the duck and threw the duck in the long grass here at Mapperton.

“It took an hour to find the duck, and the owner ran off, got in her car and left. We are deeply upset. Runner ducks are part of Mapperton.”

Viscountess Hinchingbrooke and the team are now appealing to anyone with information or for the woman involved to come forward to have a conversation following ‘a really sad day’ for everyone at the estate.

In a video shared to social media, Viscountess Hinchingbrooke shared the extent of her heartbreak.

Dogs are welcome at Mapperton House but they must be kept on leads due to the chickens and runner ducks which roam free across the grounds

Mapperton is the family home of Julie Montagu, Viscountess Hinchingbrooke and Luke Montagu, Viscount Hinchingbrooke.

Viscount Hinchingbrooke said: "One of the team at Mapperton saw a woman in the café with a small brown and white dog without a lead. The dog unfortunately ran off and attacked one of our much loved runner ducks outside.

"The woman then picked up the injured duck and wrung its neck before throwing the carcass into long grass near the car park.  She then left with her young son without saying a word.

"There are numerous signs at Mapperton asking visitors to keep their dogs on a lead because of the ducks and chickens.  And while accidents can happen, it is upsetting that this person would leave the scene without saying anything. We therefore hope she will contact us to say sorry and help find a replacement.'

"It is also an estate which is open for visitors, viewers, volunteers and the local community to enjoy."