Trading Standards officers have rescued a flock of sheep which were apparently dumped by rustlers.
The North Ayrshire Council team rescued the frightened sheep after being alerted to the abandoned animals near Kilwinning, North Ayrshire last week.
Investigations revealed that the sheep had been rustled from farms across Scotland and attempts are now being made to reunite the animals with their owners.
But it is still unknown as to how and why the sheep ended up wandering around Kilwinning.
Scott McKenzie, Senior Manager Protective Services at North Ayrshire Council, said: “On Wednesday morning, 13 sheep were discovered by a member of the public wandering on a road in Kilwinning.
“For their safety, the animals were moved to a secure yard on a former farm steading where the owner of the property cared for them until Trading Standards were able to make more appropriate care provision.
“Trading Standards made an arrangement with Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Trust, Gateside, Beith, to take care of these animals.”
Trading Standards officers are now concentrating efforts on identifying the owners of each animal and making arrangements for their safe return.
