The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is appealing for information after two calves were beheaded and killed, along with others injured in an overnight farm attack in Frankley Green, Birmingham.
The attack happened between Sunday, October 15 at 6:00p.m and Monday, October 16 at 8:00a.m.
It is believed the calves were targeted for illegal markets, as meat was taken from the two found dead, according to West Mercia Police.
According to the RSPCA, the injured calves received veterinary treatment from a local vet who confirmed that one calf was suffering from a head wound and two of the calves had deep lacerations to their tendons.
The vet confirmed that the damage was so severe that the two calves had to be put to sleep to end their suffering.
The land is close to the RSPCA Newbrook Farm Animal Centre.
A local farmer immediately alerted the association to what had happened on the night.
“This is a wicked thing to do. I’ve worked with animals all my life and I’ve never seen anything like this, the cruelty of it is unbelievable. You look after and care for your animals, so to see something like this happen is really upsetting,” the farmer said.
The RSPCA is urging anyone who might have seen anything suspicious in the area overnight on Sunday or the early hours of Monday to contact the association or the police.
RSPCA inspector, Fiona Howell said:
“This must have taken several people to undertake and a large vehicle or van so we’re hopeful that someone will have seen or heard something which might help our investigation.”
Police are carrying out enquiries to establish whether this is linked to a previous incident at another farm in Frankley on Monday September 11, where three calves were killed in a bid to steal their meat.
The incident happened at a location near Egg Hill Lane on that occasion but were interrupted before they could get away with the meat.
“This is a shocking and concerning incident, and would have caused the calves significant distress and suffering,” Howell added.
“Even if the person who did this is trained in slaughter, to kill two calves in an open field in the middle of the night without proper equipment, stunning or sedation, is inhumane and cruel.
“This has been understandably upsetting for the farmer who cares for his animals deeply and is concerned something like this could happen again,” she said.
