Thirteen innocent and defenseless baby lambs found killed with their necks “deliberately broken” on a farm in Northern Ireland

- Northern Ireland -

The Police Service of Northern Ireland are appealing for witnesses and information after thirteen (13) innocent and defenseless baby lambs were killed in what they described as a “shocking” act of animal cruelty.

Inspector Reynolds said in the Department’s press release that a report about the lambs being found dead was received between 7:00 p.m. on March 13, 2026, and 7:45 a.m. on March 14, 2026.

The incident happened at a farm on Drumsesk Road in Rostrevor, County Down.

Mr. Kevin McGivern, owner of the farm and guardian of the lambs, spoke with the BBC and recounted the dreadful facts. He described the death of his lambs as “the worst thing I could ever imagine”.

Mr. McGivern said that on Saturday, March 14, 2026, he and his brother arrived at the farm at approximately 8:00 a.m. to feed the sheep and he “just knew from the distance there was something badly wrong”.

According to Mr. McGivern, “At least 11 had their necks broke, the others were probably strangled”.

“It was like a crime scene,” added Mr. McGivern. He alerted the police who responded quickly to the scene.

Inspector Reynolds stated in the press release: “It appears that their necks had been deliberately broken.”

Local Councilor Jarlath Tinnelly slammed the individual(s) responsible as “depraved and clearly sick in the head”.

In a Facebook post Councilor Tinnelly said: “Any person who would climb a gate into a field @ 3 o’clock in the morning with a bucket of meal to entice recently born lambs towards them before proceeding to break the neck and slaughter 13 of them is depraved and clearly sick in the head.

Yet that is exactly what Kevin McGivern believes happened to his flock on Friday night / Saturday morning @ Drumsesk, Rostrevor.

My heart goes out to Kevin & Niall for coming across what must have been a harrowing sight on Saturday morning and any right minded person would unequivocally condemn this reprehensible act of cruelty.

I would appeal to anyone who may know anything about this horrific incident to contact the PSNI @101 to help them catch and prosecute whomever carried out such an appalling act.”

PETA UK is offering a reward of up to £5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the murderer(s). PETA UK vice president Elisa Allen said: “It’s imperative that any community faced with a cruel and callous act such as this take measures to find the culprit and bring them to justice. Animal abusers are a danger to everyone: they take their issues out on whoever is available to them – humans or other animals – and must be caught before they act again.”

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