VOLUNTEERS at a dale animal sanctuary have been left shocked after someone slaughtered a flock of geese.
Some 23 birds, mostly goslings, were beaten to death or had their necks broken at Wetheriggs Animal Centre, near Greta Bridge, overnight on Sunday, July 8.
Another goose was left with injuries to its wings and feet.
The massacre was discovered by full-time volunteer Tom Peverall, who described the scene as “graphic” .
He said: “We have no idea who or why anyone would do this. It is horrific. It was shocking. The ones that are left are traumatised.”
The 23-year-old added: “None of it adds up. As an animal centre we have no reason to believe why anyone would do this.”
He said the animals had been checked at about 9.30pm on Sunday to ensure they were healthy and none had escaped. They were checked again at about 8.30am on Monday when the devastation was discovered. Hundreds of feathers were left strewn across the field where the geese were kept.
Mr Peverall said: “We reared them ourselves so they would have flocked to food.”
He said it was the first time anything like this had happened at the sanctuary. The only other crime there was the theft of a couple of pigs a few years ago.
He added that police had been informed of the incident. Call 101 with information.
