Poachers target sheep in macabre attacks

A dead sheep found in Saddleworth with the meat removed

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THIS distressing picture illustrates the heartache faced by farmers whose flocks are being plundered on Saddleworth's moors.

The dead sheep have been discovered with the meat removed and the carcass left dumped.

This is the latest sickening addition in a daily battle by farmers desperate to keep their flocks safe from thieves during the lambing season.

It it believed up to 50 pregnant ewes may have vanished in recent weeks, some carrying up to four lambs.

One of the dead ewes shown in our picture was due to lamb this month and although the owner of the other slaughtered ewe is not known, it is believed it may have been stolen. And for farmer James Crowther, the third generation of family to farm 5,000 acres of rugged moorland, this is another harrowing blow in the fight to protect his flock.

He said: "We are currently working round the clock with hardly any sleep trying to ensure our ewes give birth safely.

"But these raids and subsequent deaths to pregnant ewes and loss of their lambs is very tough," he said. "It's heartbreaking to see the carcasses abandoned in fields."

Locals took to social media to condemn the raids and express concerns over the macabre deaths.

GMP's Saddleworth and Lees neighbour policing team confirmed in addition to sheep carcasses found on the moor, some pelts were found in other parts of Oldham.

They were identified as coming from Saddleworth flocks.

And Sgt Neil Barker, who heads up the local policing team said officers were investigating the sheep deaths, adding: "We have mounted extra patrols across the Saddleworth farming communities. And we'd ask people to remain vigilant and report anyone they suspect tampering with flocks."

It was believed a silver vehicle was spotted with men bundling sheep into the back.