Warning after thieves butcher sheep in field
Thieves are butchering sheep alive in farm fields for their meat in a growing trend in livestock crime.
One theory is that rising meat prices are tempting sheep rustlers to target livestock for their meat, which is then sold on in the illegal meat trade.
In the latest incident, thieves hacked off the rear legs of 10 sheep and left the carcasses behind to be found by a devastated farmer.
William Perkins, 65, and his wife Joan, of Lion House Farm, Cheadle Hulme, Greater Manchester, lost a number of rare breeds in the overnight attacks in the last two weeks.
Greater Manchester Police have also warned farmers in the area that they too could be targeted and if possible, should lock up their animals indoors at night.
Last month, the Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society (DLPS) reported that animals were being dismembered as they graze on Dartmoor in Devon, or stolen alive.
Karla McKechnie, from the society, said sheep had been found with joints like the leg and shoulder carefully cut away – “the sort you would find in a roast dinner”.
Devon and Cornwall Police are investigating the attacks.
Homeowners in Plymouth have also reported finding sheep in their gardens, abandoned by thieves who don’t have the courage to slaughter them.
Tim Price, rural affairs spokesman at NFU Mutual, said there has been a “massive increase” in livestock rustling over the last two years, due to the rise in meat prices and the economic downturn.
NFU Mutual estimates that more than 67,000 sheep were stolen in the UK last year and that rustling cost UK farmers more than £6m in 2011.
“Firstly, small numbers of animals are being taken and we have seen horrific examples of livestock being slaughtered in the field,” said Mr Price.
“It’s truly a horrific crime as animals are being slaughtered inhumanely without being stunned and then left to bleed to death.
“Butchering animals in the field is completely unhygienic and there is a risk to human health for people who buy and eat illegal meat.”
Secondly, the theft of large numbers of animals – usually sheep – is also on the rise, Mr Price added.
“This is often by well organised gangs, who round up sheep and take them away in vehicles. These animals are not being found, so we believe they are being illegally slaughtered with the meat finding its way into the food chain.”
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