Two calves have been killed and others injured in a 'wicked' and 'unbelievable' overnight farm attack in Worcestershire.
The attack saw two calves killed and butchered leaving only their innards and heads behind, and several more injured.
It is believed those who killed the 12-month-old calves at the farm in Frankley Green Lane did so in order to harvest ‘black market meat’ to be sold on for profit.
Local farmer Mr Whiteman immediately alerted the authorities and the RSPCA to what had happened on 16 October, with the attack having taken place overnight.
He said: “I can’t believe it. This is a wicked thing to do. I’ve worked with animals all my life and I’ve never seen anything like this, the cruelty of it is unbelievable.
"You look after and care for your animals so to see something like this happen is really upsetting.”
The injured calves received treatment from a local vet who confirmed that one calf was suffering from a head wound and two of the calves had deep lacerations to their tendons.
The damage was so severe that the two calves had to be put to sleep to end their suffering.
The vet, who did not wish to be named, said the malicious act must have been carried out by someone with slaughter or butchery experience as they appeared to know how to dismember a cow.
"Without a handling system the calves were most likely chased and immobilised in the field by slicing the hindlimb tendons," he said.
“There was no evidence of stunning to render them unconscious, therefore these animals were aware of the pain until the end. Once I examined the remaining calves, there were multiple laceration injuries to hindlimbs.
"Those that were uninjured displayed signs of stress, exhaustion and abnormal calf behaviour for several days after.”
As well as taking the body of the calves and leaving behind the head and organs, it is also believed that all of the blood was taken as there was little blood found in the field.
Anyone with more information should contact the RSPCA's inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018, or contact the police on 101 quoting reference number 91i of 16 October.
