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Cows fatally stabbed at arson-hit Ashton-under-Lyne farm | Cows fatally stabbed at arson-hit Ashton-under-Lyne farm |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Three cows have been stabbed to death and nine others injured in what police have called a "cruel" attack at a farm. | Three cows have been stabbed to death and nine others injured in what police have called a "cruel" attack at a farm. |
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said the animals were attacked between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning in the cowshed in Ashton-under-Lyne. | Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said the animals were attacked between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning in the cowshed in Ashton-under-Lyne. |
GMP said they are linking this incident with an arson attack on the farm's barn early on Sunday morning, in which machinery was damaged. | GMP said they are linking this incident with an arson attack on the farm's barn early on Sunday morning, in which machinery was damaged. |
Police said the farmer cannot believe someone "could be so cruel". | Police said the farmer cannot believe someone "could be so cruel". |
Det Con Rick McIvor said: "Due to the short space of time in which these crimes have taken place, we believe the same offenders are responsible. | Det Con Rick McIvor said: "Due to the short space of time in which these crimes have taken place, we believe the same offenders are responsible. |
"The owner is obviously deeply distressed someone has targeted his business in such a way." | "The owner is obviously deeply distressed someone has targeted his business in such a way." |
He added: "After the offenders set fire to the barn on Sunday morning, they attempted to torch the cowshed but were unsuccessful. | He added: "After the offenders set fire to the barn on Sunday morning, they attempted to torch the cowshed but were unsuccessful. |
"For some reason, only known to them, they have returned and killed the cows." | "For some reason, only known to them, they have returned and killed the cows." |
Garry Watson, branch manager of the NFU Mutual Insurance, said he had never seen an incident like this. | |
"It is incomprehensible what has happened with the animals," he said. | |
"The arson is bad enough but what has happened with the animals is unjustifiable. | |
"We can't think of any reason why anybody would want to do this." |
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