'Barbaric' skinning of lambs investigated by police

The owner of three lambs that are believed to have been killed in a field for their meat has called the crime "barbaric".

Derbyshire Police have appealed for information after the remains of the lambs were found in the field at High Wheeldon, near Earl Sterndale, between lunchtime on Wednesday and 13:00 GMT on Friday.

Police said the animals "appear to have been skinned and the remainder of their bodies removed" from a field.

The owner, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "They have been inhumanely killed and the meat has been taken."

She said they were nine to 10 months old and were among 40 lambs in a field at the time.

In a statement posted on Facebook on Monday, the force wrote: "This is an upsetting incident for the farmer and we are keen to understand what has happened."

Anyone with any information has been urged to contact Derbyshire Police.

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