Ducks have heads cut off in sick attack (From South Wales Argus)

Ducks have heads cut off in sick attack

12:02pm Tuesday 23rd January 2007

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POLICE and an animal charity have branded an attack which saw two ducks having their heads cut off with shears as "horrific and despicable".

Paul Morris, owner of Isaf Carreg Bica Farm in Tredegar Road, Ebbw Vale, was devastated after finding the dead birds by some bloodstained shears.

He said whoever carrid out the attack also soaked bales of hay in diesel and set them alight, hit his sheepdog, Roy, with a plank of wood and tried to break into his office.

The incident caused around £90 of damage.

"I'm devastated and so is my 75-year-old dad who owns the ducks," said Mr Morris. "I can't believe that someone would do something like this. It was a horrible thing to come back and see."

Mr Morris said he discovered the ducks in a barn after returning from staying the night with his girlfriend.

He said the culprit used also an old drum of diesel to light the hay after gaining entry into a unlocked barn.

"Luckily it didn't really take so the barn was fine," said Mr Morris. "If it had gone up ten horses in the building next door could have been hurt.

"They also forced their way into the barn with the ducks, found some shears hanging up and used them to cut their heads off."

Mr Morris, whose family have owned the smallholding for 40 years, keeps 50 ducks, 30 horses, geese and chickens on his land.

A shed was also targeted and burnt down around seven years ago.

The 40-year-old, who lives in a caravan on the site, said he now feels unsafe.

"It's left me feeling unsteady," he said.

Gwent Police are investigating the incident which happened between 7.30pm on Friday and 9.30am on Saturday. Nobody has been arrested.

Police Constable Mike Smith, crime and disorder reduction officer for Ebbw Vale, said: "This was a despicable attack on two defenceless animals."

A spokesman for the RSPCA added: "It's horrific, inexcusable and a criminal offence."

Anyone with information can phone Ebbw Vale police on 01495 350999.

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