More lambs found dead after second '˜sickening' South Yorkshire farmland shooting

The wounded animals will need to be put down and a further two ewes have been injured after they were shot at Cherry Tree Lodge Farm in Crow Tree Bank.

Officers from South Yorkshire Police discovered the injured animals this morning at the farm, which is near to Stoupers Gate farm at Hatfield where eight lambs were shot and killed last week.

Police believe they were shot some time overnight in an incident which has caused further shock within the South Yorkshire farming community.

Inspector Mark Payling, from South Yorkshire Police, said: “This is a sickening and thoughtless act of violence against animals, which has caused outrage amongst the farming community across the region and beyond.

“Both incidents have caused distress and outrage not only in our local communities, but across South Yorkshire.

“It is simply intolerable and I want to reassure the local community that we are determined to find those responsible.

“I understand that people will be concerned and we are exploring a number of lines of enquiry to confirm that these incidents are linked.

“We must keep an open mind in this early stage of the investigation and this is where any information that you hold, however small, could prove significant to finding out who did this.

“Please, if you saw anything suspicious in the area or have heard anyone discussing this matter locally, get in touch.”

Anyone with any information should call police on 101 or email [email protected] quoting incident number 209 of March 30 2016. You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.