West Mercia Police officers are appealing for witnesses after a very concerning incident in Shropshire.

A spokesperson for West Mercia Police 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. 

“Today I have visited a farmer in the Little Stretton area who has had a Ram tied up along a fence and a Ewe which was in lamb tied up and killed in an extremely horrific way as its insides were all ruptured. 

“This has left the farmer understandably concerned.  

“This happened on Thursday 16th February 2023. If you were in the area of Little Stretton near to a footpath that leads to Church Stretton through some fields and saw anything suspicious which involved a sheep please contact me on the below details.

“This time of year is a busy time for sheep farmers as lambs are being born. Please if you are walking your dogs in fields which have sheep in it please put your dog on a lead. 

“Even if you dog is the best behaved dog in the world, please put it on a lead as for some sheep just the sight of a dog can cause it to be worried and this is an offence. 

“If you have any information in relation to the above incident or if you have been victim of a similar offence please get in touch.”