Dyfed-Powys Police’s rural crime team is investigating the illegal slaughter of a sheep after a farmer found a yearling lamb skin in a field in the Llanfair Caereinion area.

No other parts of the sheep were found and the skin had been removed by someone with the required skill, the team said.

It is believed that the slaughter took place between February 9 and 13, 2023.

The team warned that the meat from the sheep could “pose a health risk” if it entered the food chain.

It has appealed for anybody with information that could help its officers with their investigation to report it to the rural crime team through email or by calling 101.

Deceased animals

Royal Agricultural University (RAU) students who were involved in an incident that saw dead animals attached to vehicles have been suspended pending the outcome of investigations carried out by police and the university.

Gloucestershire Constabulary said it was aware that “deceased animals were attached to vehicles at an event in Cirencester” and said that officers have been in contact with the RAU about the incident and those responsible.

A spokesperson for the constabulary said investigations into the incident were continuing.

“We can reassure people that we are investigating,” they said.

“Two people have been identified and are due to have voluntary interviews.”

A spokesperson for the RAU said the college condemned the students’ behaviour and immediately started an investigation into the incident as soon as it was made aware.

“Those individuals involved have now been identified and have all been suspended from the university with immediate effect pending the outcome of both our own investigations and those of Gloucestershire Police,” they said.

“We will absolutely not tolerate this kind of behaviour and will deal with those involved appropriately in light of the severity of the incident.”

RURAL CRIME SHEEP