Shropshire farmer discovers sheep butchered in field
© Tim Scrivener Livestock farmers in Shropshire are being warned to be extra vigilant following reports of sheep being found illegally butchered in fields.
West Mercia Police says it has received reports of sheep being killed, slaughtered and skinned in the county.
In the latest incident on Thursday 16 February, a farmer in the Little Stretton area made the discovery of a ram tied up along a fence and an in-lamb ewe also strung up with its as its insides ruptured.
See also: Sheep worrying advice for lambing time
It happened near a footpath that leads to Church Stretton through fields. Police said the sheep were killed in an “extremely horrific way” which left the farmer concerned.
PC Jonathan Lightfoot, of the Shropshire Rural and Business policing team, said: “Unfortunately we have had a number of reports of sheep being killed, slaughtered and skinned in the area.
“We are aware how much this affects farmers and would like to encourage you to keep an eye out for anything suspicious. We can only catch these offenders with your help.”
West Mercia Police has also received several recent reports of sheep worrying incidents which have resulted in deaths or injuries to sheep.
Anyone with information on the Little Stretton incident, or if you have been a victim of a similar offence, contact West Mercia Police on 101.