To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Police Launch Investigation After Three More Sheep Found Dead With 'Satanic' Markings

Police Launch Investigation After Three More Sheep Found Dead With 'Satanic' Markings

The latest killings take the total number of deaths to seven since November

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers

Warning: Graphic Images

Three more sheep have been found slaughtered in a national park, with fears growing over the recent spate of 'Satanic-style' killings.

Over the past week, the group of bodies were discovered by the side of a road in Hampshire's New Forest.

Two of the dead animals, found in Cadham, had suffered puncture wounds to their shoulders, while the third, found in Bramshaw, had been stabbed in the neck.

This comes just a few weeks after a ewe was found dumped in the middle of a road in Cadham after having been stabbed to death and another sheep was found 'slit from neck to crotch with entrails removed' in the village of Boldre.

Solent

Combining these with the three sheep that were found slaughtered last November - one of which was sprayed with Satanic symbols and the number '666' - it takes the total number of deaths to seven.

Police have said they are now investigating the sinister series of deaths, to try and decipher whether they are connected to the occult.

Following the latest brutal killings, a local farmer said they are 'clearly linked to the others', as they were killed 'in a similar manor'.

Wendy Maughan, 60, whose sheep was killed last week and dumped in the road, said: "I have seen some of the dead animals. From what I have seen they have clearly been killed or maimed in the same manner.

Solent

"It is clearly linked to the others. It is definitely the same people doing this.

"For us as a community we just want this to be over. It has been going on for some time now and it is getting serious."

Speaking yesterday, a spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said the latest attacks may have happened overnight.

The spokesman added: "As part of their enquiries, officers will look to see if there are any links between these sheep deaths, and with any other similar incidents in the New Forest.

Solent

"Targeted patrols of areas in the New Forest will continue.

"Officers from Hampshire Constabulary's Country Watch team are also liaising with partners, including verderers and affected livestock owners."

Last week Andrew Parry-Norton, 51, who runs a small farm, said: "It's starting to get worrying in terms of putting animals out in the forest.

"We are also quite isolated up this lane and it's all rather worrying.

"The worrying thing for us is that whoever the perpetrator is, if they do that with animals, what would they do if you were to disturb or corner them while they were up to no good."

Featured Image Credit: Solent

Topics: UK News, Interesting, Animals