Police are appealing for information after a sheep that had recently given birth was slaughtered at an RSPB nature reserve, leaving its lamb orphaned.

Police have launched an appeal after the discovery of a sheep’s body at RSPB Saltholme on Tuesday (Jul 7) morning.

Police believe sometime overnight on Monday (Jul 6), into Tuesday, someone cut through the fence to gain access to where the sheep were grazing.

The sheep was killed by having its throat cut.

The sheep’s limbs and fleece were also removed, with the carcass left behind.

Police have launched an appeal for any witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.

The sheep was said to have lambed recently, leaving its lamb orphaned.

Outer Stockton Neighbourhoods Inspector Christian Duree said: “Whoever was responsible for killing the sheep will likely have returned home with the animal’s blood on them.

“Whoever was responsible for killing the sheep will likely have returned home with the animal’s blood on them.

“If you’ve seen meat offered for sale locally or if you have any information or relevant footage to help our enquiries, please contact Cleveland Police either online via the force website, or by phoning 101. Please quote reference 132597.

“If you don’t want to speak to police, information can be passed completely anonymously to www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by phoning 0800 555 111.”