An animal rights campaign group is offering a reward to help catch the person or persons responsible for the "callous" killing of 13 lambs in Northern Ireland. The young animals were found dead last weekend at a farm in Rostrevor, County Down, with police saying it appears their necks had been "deliberately broken".
PETA said it is willing to offer up to £5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual or individuals behind the harrowing incident. The charity's vice president Elisa Allen said: "It's imperative that any community faced with a cruel and callous act such as this take measures to find the culprit and bring them to justice." PETA claimed history shows incidents of animal cruelty often appear in the records of dangerous criminals.
"Animal abusers are a danger to everyone: they take their issues out on whoever is available to them - humans or other animals - and must be caught before they act again," Ms Allen said.
It is believed the lambs were killed sometime between 7pm on Friday and 7:45am on Saturday.
Farmer Kevin McGivern described their deaths as "the worst thing I could ever imagine".
He told the BBC he arrived at his field with his brother to feed the sheep at around 8am on Saturday and that he "just knew from the distance there was something badly wrong".
He said "at least 11" of the lambs had their necks broken, while the others were "probably strangled".
No arrests have been made and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is continuing to appeal for information.
Inspector Reynolds, from the force, said: "We received a report that the lambs had been killed at a farm on Drumsesk Road at some point between 7pm on Friday, 13th March and 7.45am on Saturday, 14th March.
"It appears that their necks had been deliberately broken.
"This is a shocking crime, and we would be keen to hear from anyone who noticed anything unusual in the area during the times above."
Anyone with information regarding the incident is being urged to contact officers on 101, quoting reference 495 14/03/26.
-
Ishan Kishan Takes Charge as Sunrisers Hyderabad Captain for IPL 2026
-
Understanding Property Rights After a Son's Death in India
-
For Michelle Pfeiffer, heartbreak is a priority reset
-
Lotto winning numbers LIVE: Full National Lottery results with Thunderball March 18
-
Queen Camilla wows in glittering £5 million tiara at State Banquet
