Seven sheep dead after 4x4 'deliberately' smashes into farm and rams livestock

An investigation has been launched after seven sheep were killed by a hooligan who broke into a farmer's field between Boroughbridge and Knaresborough.

A farmer has found seven of their sheep dead and surrounded by tyre tracks on the outskirts of Staveley when checking on them yesterday around 10am on Wednesday, November 13. After a vet came, it was confirmed that there were no other deaths or injuries but the rest of the flock were in a distressed state.

Officers think that the vehicle was probably a 4x4 and the driver deliberately drove over the perimeter fence and at the animals overnight between Tuesday, November 12 and Wednesday, November 13. It is believed that the suspect drove around 200m down a farm track off Minskip Road before leaving the track and driving in a figure-of-eight in the field.

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A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: "We have now launched a criminal investigation and have been carrying out enquiries in the area.

"As part of this, we are appealing for any information about the incident, the vehicle involved which may have wool attached to it, or any CCTV or dashcam footage of a 4x4 vehicle in the area around the time of the incident."

If you have any information about the incident contact PC Paxton by emailing joseph.paxton@northyorkshire.police.uk or calling on 101, selecting option 2 and asking for PC Joseph Paxton. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their website.

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