Rustlers slaughter lambs leaving heads scattered in field: Hamsterley
(DL13 - Friday, 26 March, 2010)

Rustlers slaughtered a dozen lambs in a farmer's field, leaving behind a bloody scene that a police officer describes as "gruesome".

The cruel gang cut off the animals' heads, skinned them and gutted them before fleeing with their carcasses.

The Suffolk Hoggs, all barely a year old, were separated from the flock of 200 and ushered into a section of the field before meeting their fate.

The incident happened in a field at Low Weatherhill Farm at Hamsterley, near Bishop Auckland between Monday night, March 22, and the Tuesday morning.

Beat officer Alex Riley, who went to the scene, and saw the bloody aftermath, said:

"It was a gruesome scene.

"As well as the lambs that had been slaughtered, there was another one which was so scared at what was going on it ran at a fence, broke its neck and died.

"As well as leaving the heads scattered on the field, the gang simply dumped the offal at the side of the road.

"The gang must have used a vehicle and we are appealing to anyone who saw anything to contact us.

"We are also appealing to anyone who is offered cut-price meat to contact us.

"A lot of deer have been killed in this area in the past but the killing of the lambs in the field is unusual.

"I have never known it before."

The farmer, who doesn't want to be identified, said:

"These animals were killed inhumanely and would have suffered great distress.

"The lambs which were left were traumatised and we have had to keep them away from the scene."

PC Riley can be contacted via the non-emergency number 0345 6060 365.

Anyone with information can also contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

Low Weatherhill Farm
Hamsterley
Bishop Auckland
North Yorkshire
DL13