Daventry Express Thursday 7 July 2011

Farmers across the area have been warned to be vigilant after 26 lambs were brutally killed and stolen from a field in the Daventry area.

Rustlers armed with a hunting rifle raided a farm near Chipping Warden overnight between Wednesday June 29, and Thursday June 30. The gang are thought to have shot the lambs in the neck with the high powered rifle before loading carcasses into a vehicle and driving them away. Another 10 sheep and lambs were also shot but left behind. One was found dead in the field, while another seven had to be put down due to the extent of their injuries. One lamb and one ewe survived the raid despite being shot.

A Northamptonshire Police spokesman said “As far as we are aware this is an isolated incident but please consider making more regular checks on your livestock in the shorter term.”