Agricultural cooperative Dachie Livestock has said one of its sheep was killed with “either a crossbow/bow and arrow or similar weapon”.
The incident, which occurred on August 7 two miles outside of New Cunnock, saw a sheep shot and killed in a field.
A spokesperson for Dachie Livestock took to Facebook to detail the incident, stating that it has been reported to the police.
“I don’t take to social media very much but this dreadful act of cruelty has left me at my wits end and hope people can help to find out who done it before they do anything like it again or worse,” the spokesperson said.
“On checking sheep this morning we have discovered through the night someone has shot and killed one of our sheep with either a crossbow/bow and arrow or similar weapon.
“It is very unlikely that she died instantly and was left in the field to die with her lamb lying beside her.”
The spokesperson said the incident has been reported to the police and that officers responded quickly and are actively investigating this “horrid act of cruelty”.
“This happened after 9:00p.m on August 7, 2024, two miles outside New Cunnock if you know anything about this or what weapon has been used please help stop it happening again to another farm animal/pet or worse.
“If you know anything or can help in any way please message this page, all information given will be in the strictest of confidence.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “On Thursday, August 8, 2024, we received a report that a sheep had been found dead in the New Cumnock area.
“Enquiries are ongoing into this report and to establish the circumstances.”
Livestock
Livestock theft remained high in 2023, at an estimated cost of £2.7 million across the UK, according to NFU Mutual’s latest rural crime report.
Last year saw a spate of “alarming incidents” where farm animals were butchered in fields, NFU Mutual said.
This year, NFU Mutual funded the UK’s first livestock theft officer at the National Rural Crime Unit (NRCU) to tackle the crime.
Farm animals worth an estimated £2.4 million were severely injured or killed in dog attacks across the UK in 2023, up nearly 30% compared to the previous year.
