Four sheep butchered and their unborn lambs killed
Jan 31 2009 by Neil Mckay, The Journal
FARMERS and consumers across the region were urged to be on their guard last night after four sheep were butchered and the bodies of their unborn lambs strewn across a field.
The act of savagery shocked police who were called to the blood-covered scene yesterday afternoon.
Officers warned the butchery could be a “credit crunch crime” but urged people not to accept any cut-price meat. They said the four stricken animals had been wormed within the last five days, and the meat was not fit for human consumption.
But farmers across the region were told to be on their guard following the attack in a field outside Staindrop, near Barnard Castle, County Durham.
Inspector Kevin Tuck, of Barnard Castle police, warned consumers from buying cheap meat “on the black market or from dubious sources”.
He said: “No doubt those responsible will be trying to sell this meat cheaply. The scene we came across after being alerted by a neighbour was horrific. Farmers across the area are being warned about these sheep rustlers. We are treating this as a crime of cruelty as well as of theft but we also have great concern over the consumption of this meat.”
Anybody with information should ring police on 0345 606-0365 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Police in the region believe crackdowns on crime in towns and cities are pushing thieves out into rural areas. Initiatives such as Farmwatch have been set up to help farmers, communities and the police work together to combat crime.
But hundreds of sheep were stolen last year from farms near to the A68 Darlington to Corbridge road which runs through County Durham. Police believe gangs of sheep rustlers targeted the farms because the A68 provided a swift getaway. But the savagery of the latest theft has sickened officers.
“It was wanton cruelty simply to obtain cut-price meat, which may well be a credit crunch crime.
“But we cannot emphasise strongly enough that this meat is unfit for consumption,” added Inspector Tuck.
