WEST Devon farmers this week issued an urgent appeal for help, following the macabre ritualistic killing of sheep on Dartmoor. The three sheep were found on open moor near Pork Hill car park last Monday. Their necks were broken, their eyes gouged out and their tongues had also been cut out ? the dead bodies were arranged in a line. Now farmers fear even worse discoveries could be made if the perpetrators are not caught. It is the third attack of its kind in 18 months ? four farmers have lost 18 sheep in total. Last January strangled sheep were found arranged in the shape of a heptagon near Sampford Spiney. In October, six dead sheep, killed in the same way as those in last week?s attack, were found arranged in a square and near stones, possibly arranged to make a pagan symbol. One of the farmers, who wished to remain anonymous, said she was sickened by the cruelty. ?How anybody could do this just doesn?t bear thinking about ? it?s horrific,? she said. ?And what is completely baffling us is firstly how did they catch them, and secondly how could they have broken their necks? ?We handle sheep all the time and we couldn?t do it. In all my time I?ve never come up against anything like this before, neither have any of us.? The farmer said the area where the sheep were found is exposed ? she hoped anyone driving between Tavistock and Princetown who may have seen anything suspicious would contact police or the RSPCA. ?I think any sort of strange lights or strange activity ? or if anyone has any information about what?s going on, they can call the police anonymously,? she said. Cherry Seage, secretary of Dartmoor Commoners? Council, said: ?We are very concerned these type of incidents could spread to other areas, and we are obviously concerned for the welfare of the stock. ?The incidents all occurred on Whitchurch commons and we are sure it has to be someone local, but unless the public participate and report things, it?s going to be very difficult to stop it.? She too was mystified how nervous animals like sheep could have been caught and felt the only answer could be darting them with tranquillisers. The matter has been reported to the police and the RSPCA. Sgt Richard Nettleship said the attacks were ?very unpleasant? . He said because of similarities at each incident, police believed they were linked ? enquiries were also being made with police forces elsewhere in the country to build a clearer picture of the circumstances. ?These are criminal offences and we are treating them as serious,? said Sgt Nettleship. Insp Becky Wadey, of the RSPCA, said the attacks were ?barbaric? and must have involved at least two or more people. ?The bodies were found on open ground very close to the road, so somebody must have seen something, even if they did not realise at the time it was suspicious.? So far one member of the public has contacted the RSPCA about the attacks and the charity is following up the information submitted. Anyone with information or who can help with enquiries should call the RSPCA?s cruelty and information line on 08705 555999 and leave a message for Insp Wadey. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 ? calls to the RSPCA and the police are treated in confidence.
