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Police are appealing for information following the deaths of thirteen lambs at a farm in Rostrevor, after what is believed to have been a deliberate act.
The incident took place at a farm on Drumsesk Road at some point between 7pm on Friday, 13 March and 7.45am on Saturday, 14 March. Inspector Reynolds said the lambs appear to have had their necks deliberately broken.
Inspector Reynolds described it as "a shocking crime" and appealed to anyone who may have noticed anything unusual in the area to come forward.
Commenting on the horrific and barbaric attack Crotlieve Councillor Mark Gibbons said "I am deeply saddened and angered to hear about the horrific killing of 13 lambs on the Drumsesk Road in Rostrevor.
"This is such a beautiful and peaceful part of our countryside and to see something so cruel happen there is deeply upsetting. To do this to one lamb would be horrific, but to do it thirteen times is simply barbaric.
"My thoughts are with the farmer and family affected by this senseless act of cruelty."
The councillor is appealing to anyone who may have information, dashcam footage or CCTV from the area to please contact the PSNI immediately.
Councillor Jarleth Tinnelly added: "Any person who would climb a gate into a field at 3 o’clock in the morning with a bucket of meal to entice recently born lambs towards them before proceeding to break the neck and slaughter 13 of them is depraved and clearly sick in the head.
"Yet that is exactly what Kevin McGivern believes happened to his flock on Friday night / Saturday morning at Drumsesk, Rostrevor.
My heart goes out to Kevin & Niall for coming across what must have been a harrowing sight on Saturday morning and any right minded person would unequivocally condemn this reprehensible act of cruelty."
You can contact police on 101, quoting reference 495 14/03/26. Alternatively, a report can be made online at www.psni.police.uk or Crimestoppers can be contacted in complete anonymity on 0800 555 111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org.
