Agricultural college students are arrested after ‘disturbing’ attack on sheep who was ‘blown up with a firework while still alive’
- Two students, aged 18 and 20, were arrested in connection with the incident
Published: 12:41, 27 November 2023 | Updated: 14:47, 27 November 2023
Two agricultural students have been arrested after a ‘disturbing’ attack on a sheep which was allegedly blown up with a firework while it was still alive.
Four students from Plumpton College, West Sussex, picked up the grazing sheep and kicked its head, before splitting it open and stuffing it with a firework, according to a local farmer.
Two students, aged 18 and 20, have been arrested on suspicion of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and criminal damage.
The ‘horrific’ incident near Ditchling Beacon, West Sussex, is believed to have occurred on November 2.
Plumpton College has now permanently excluded the pair, with the other pupils withdrawn from their course ‘in order to safeguard student welfare and to preserve the integrity of the police investigation’.
A local farmer said that four students from Plumpton College (pictured) picked up the grazing sheep and kicked its head, before splitting it open and stuffing it with a firework
The ‘horrific’ incident near Ditchling Beacon, West Sussex (pictured) is believed to have occurred on November 2
Hadlow Down farmer Michael Lunn said: ‘It was the most horrific example of animal cruelty’.
Mr Lunn said that the group had ‘stuck a rookie’ inside the sheep and ‘blew it up.’
The pair, both from Kent, were released on conditional bail while police enquiries continue.
Jeremy Kerswell, principal at Plumpton College, said: ‘We remain appalled by this incident and saddened by the impact that this has had on our other students, our staff and the wider community.
‘We have always understood and mirrored the depth of feelings triggered by this incident which in no way represents our values and the high standards that we strive to achieve on a daily basis.
‘Our thanks go to those who have supported us during this difficult time.
‘We will of course reflect and learn from this experience and do all that we can to continue to educate our students in exemplary practices in animal welfare.’
Police have arrested two people following reports of a sheep being killed on the South Downs near the Ditchling Beacon.
Two men from Kent – aged 20 and 18 – have been arrested on suspicion of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and criminal damage.
Both have been released on conditional bail while enquiries continue.
Superintendent Rachel Swinney said: ‘A thorough investigation is underway into this disturbing report, which we are treating extremely seriously.
‘We have engaged with the college, which has taken its own internal disciplinary measures and is fully supporting our investigation.
‘We have also engaged with the owner of the sheep, local farmers and the wider community to provide reassurance and advice.
‘Anyone with information that could help with the investigation can contact police online or via 101, quoting Op Chelmsford.’
A police investigation is still ongoing.
References
- ^ Sukhmani Sethi (www.dailymail.co.uk)