Police are appealing for information after 13 lambs were found with their necks ‘deliberately’ snapped in County Down, Northern Ireland.
The animals were found dead on the Drumsesk Road, Rostrevor. They were believed to have been killed overnight on Friday, between 7.00pm and 7.45am.
Farmer Kevin McGivern told the BBC he ‘just knew from the distance there was something badly’ wrong when he arrived at the field.
Mr McGivern said: ‘At least 11 had their necks broke, the others were probably strangled.
‘It was like a crime scene, really.’
The Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI) have issued an urgent appeal for information.
PSNI Inspector Reynolds labelled the deaths as a ‘shocking crime.’
He said: ‘We received a report that the lambs had been killed at a farm on Drumsesk Road at some point between 7pm on Friday, 13th March and 7.45am on Saturday, 14th March.
Police are appealing for information after 13 lambs were found with their necks ‘deliberately’ snapped in Northern Ireland
‘It appears that their necks had been deliberately broken.
‘This is a shocking crime, and we would be keen to hear from anyone who noticed anything unusual in the area during the times above.
‘Enquiries are ongoing and anyone who can help should contact officers on 101, quoting reference 495 14/03/26.’