DEVON police are appealing for help catching people who tortured, killed and stole small animals from a school for vulnerable children.
Staff at the Ellen Tinkham School for children with special needs in Exeter discovered four chickens - beloved by pupils and used for animal therapy - mutilated and thrown over the boundary wall yesterday morning.
Some of the fatal injuries sustained by the chickens were gruesome; with one appearing to have been torn in half by its legs and another found hanging by its head from a tree. Many had been plucked and had their limbs torn off. Fortunately staff prevented any of the pupils from witnessing the disturbing scene.
The grim discovery came a day after two rabbits and six guinea pigs, beloved by the children at the school and used for animal therapy, were stolen from their hutches at some point between Saturday evening and Monday morning.
A Devon & Cornwall Police spokesman said: "Police are investigating separate reports of animal theft and animals being killed at the Ellen Tinkham School at Hollow Lane, Pinhoe.
"This is a particularly upsetting crime as this is a school for youngsters with special needs and these animals play a major part in their educational needs. The thefts of six guinea pigs and two rabbits took place over the weekend and the deaths of four chickens happened overnight on Monday, December 7, into Tuesday, December 8."
Tom Bates, Rural Skills project leader; who heads up a team of five other members of staff who arrange activities with the animals for pupils, believes there is little hope for the safety of the rabbits and guinea pigs after this yesterdays' grim discovery.
He branded the incident as "disgusting".
He said: "Anyone being on a property uninvited is never a nice thing, but this was awful, senseless and threatening behaviour. I struggle to understand the mind-set behind this. These animals are important for pupils' development and they get a lot out of them."
Staff initially thought foxes were responsible for both incidents. However, on closer inspection the cages housing the rabbits and guinea pigs had been bolted shut after the theft.
A lighter, torch, broken shovel and a woolly hat were found at the scene – further evidence pointing towards vandals.
Mr Bates said: "These animals are a vital learning tool for the pupils and many are very fond of them. We have mice, sheep, rabbits and guinea pigs that are used for holistic therapy in our outdoor roundhouse area, and pupils get to have one-on-one time petting them. The chickens lay eggs which we sell on to staff members, and we use them to educate the children.
"Many children here are in wheelchairs and having the guinea pigs or rabbits on their laps is a calming and relaxing influence for them."
The stolen guinea pigs comprised of a breeding pair - a long-haired white and grey coloured male and a small white and black female - and a black and ginger mother and her three babies.
The two rabbits were both male; one smoky grey coloured and one honey and golden. All the stolen animals are tame and well-handled.
Staff at the school are now locking away high value items and Mr Bates is today installing CCTV at the site.
Police are urging anyone with information relating to these crimes, or witnessed anything suspicious in the area, to contact them on 101 or by emailing 101@Devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk quoting crime reference CR/084425/15.
↧