A farmer has spoken of his shock and horror after discovering that 13 of his lambs had been killed with their necks deliberately broken on farmland in Northern Ireland/The North.
The grim discovery was made when the farmer went to check on his flock and found a number of lambs lying dead in the field. On closer inspection it became clear the animals had not died naturally.
The farmer said the injuries suggested the lambs had been deliberately handled and killed, describing the incident as deeply disturbing.
He said the discovery left him shocked and upset, adding that the animals had been healthy only a short time earlier.
Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers were notified and are understood to be investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Incidents involving attacks on livestock are treated seriously because they cause financial losses for farmers and significant animal welfare concerns.
Farmers have also warned that attacks on livestock can cause wider damage to flocks, particularly during the lambing season when animals are more vulnerable.
The farmer affected by the incident said the loss was not only financial but emotional, as farmers invest significant time and care into raising their animals.
Police enquiries into the incident remain ongoing as officers work to establish how the lambs were killed and who may have been responsible.
Anyone with information about suspicious activity in rural areas is being urged to contact police.
