RSPCA: Ewe’ve got to be kidding me!
Was this poor sheep fleeced by April Fool’s joke?
A rare breed black sheep was found tied-up outside a pub in Hampshire by a shoelace on Monday (April 1).
The pub’s patrons might have thought they had had a few too many festive tipples when the sheep was found by members of staff at the Ashley Pub, Ashley Road, New Milton, Hampshire at around 11:30am.
It had one end of a blue shoe lace tied around its neck and the other end tied to the play equipment in the pub garden.
“This is clearly not an animal that is used to being tethered and would panic when approached by people, this method of tethering could have caused the sheep a serious injury had it been so spooked by something that it desperately tried to get away,” said RSPCA Inspector Graham Hammond.
“I strongly suspect this poor animal is the victim of some sort of April Fools prank. It has a shaved patch of fleece on the hind left side and rump but otherwise no identifying features,” he added.
The pub staff looked after the ewe until the animal charity arrived and were able to remove her to the safety of RSPCA Ashley Heath Animal Shelter.
The young ewe is believed to be a rare breed Shetland Sheep. Enquires have been made amongst local sheep farmers, including a rare breed farmer, but the RSPCA have not been able to find the owner.
The RSPCA are now appealing for witness, as well as anyone who might know who owns this poor sheep, to come forward. Please call 0300 123 8018 and leave a message for Insp Hammond.
– Ends –
Images are available on request.
RSPCA, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 9RS
Press office direct lines: 0300 123 0244/0288 Fax: 0303 123 0099
Duty press officer (evenings and weekends) Tel 08448 222888 and ask for pager number 828825
Email: press@rspca.org.uk Website: www.rspca.org.uk
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Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals registered charity no: 219099 Registered office: RSPCA, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 9RS
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