Sheep killed and injured in New Forest farm attack

It is thought the animals were attacked with a "jagged instrument"

A number of sheep have been killed and injured in the latest attack on animals in the New Forest.

Andrew Parry-Norton, who runs a farm in Cadnam, said three of his sheep had been killed and two others injured following the incident on Thursday.

He said it appeared the animals were attacked with a "jagged instrument", following other similar attacks in the area over recent years.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said it is investigating.

Andrew Parry-Norton and wife Sarah reported the attacks on the sheep to the police

This story contains graphic images of animals below

Mr Parry-Norton said he suspected a "sick person" had been been responsible for the "appalling" attacks.

A ewe suffered a cut to her side, which left organs hanging out, while a lamb had its throat slit.

In 2019, three cattle were stabbed in Linwood and two sheep were fatally slashed and marked in Bramshaw.

A sheep was stabbed eight times and dumped in the middle of a New Forest road in January 2020.

Mr Parry-Norton said other neighbours had previously reported a sheep being deliberately and repeatedly run over.

The injured animals were found on Thursday morning

"My other concern is...are [the attackers] going to hold back? One of us could potentially get hurt," he added. "It needs to be dealt with."

The number of hit-and-run crashes involving livestock in the New Forest increased last year, figures showed.

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