Police launch appeal after flock of rare breed sheep abandoned in North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire Police are appealing for information after 32 Hebridean sheep were found abandoned in a field.
Some of the abandoned sheepSome of the abandoned sheep
Some of the abandoned sheep

The sheep - which include a mixture of rams, ewes and lambs - were discovered by the landowner around 9am on 3 July 2019.

Tyre tracks were still evident in the field on Brackenthwaite Lane in Pannal near Harrogate.

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The flock is described as being in poor condition with no markings, apart from one ear tag but enquiries in relation to the tag number have been unsuccessful.

Police Community Support Officer, Matthew Cockerill, is part of North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Taskforce.

He said: “This is definitely one of the more unusual situations I’ve experienced in day-to-day policing and very sad that a group of animals would be abandoned like this with no consideration for their safety and welfare.

“We don’t know what circumstances could have led to the sheep being left in this way – whether they have been stolen and dumped or whether their owner was no longer able to look after them - but we hope that we can find whoever is responsible and ensure the flock has a secure home for the future. In the meantime they are being looked after by a local farmer.”

Anyone who has any information about these sheep should call 101 quoting 12190119908