A farmer has been left in shock after a number of her sheep were mowed down and killed in a senseless act.

Ely Standard: Sheep in a field at Twenty Pence Road, Wilburton, were slaughtered during a cruel act of vandalism: the owner of the sheep believes they were run over deliberately by a vehicle.Sheep in a field at Twenty Pence Road, Wilburton, were slaughtered during a cruel act of vandalism: the owner of the sheep believes they were run over deliberately by a vehicle. (Image: Archant)

Lou Flint, 46, a farmer from Haddenham near Ely, went to check up on her sheep at around 8am on Sunday morning at a fenced grazing field in Twenty Pence Road, Wilburton.

But nothing could prepare her for the massacre that was left behind after someone had forced their way through the electric fence overnight and ran them over in a car.

Mrs Flint found eight dead sheep dispersed across the field and another two that were still alive but had to be humanely shot after suffering shattered legs.

On further inspection, Mrs Flint found car tracks across the field and a bloodied car mat dumped by the fence.

Ely Standard: Sheep in a field at Twenty Pence Road, Wilburton, were slaughtered during a cruel act of vandalism: the owner of the sheep believes they were run over deliberately by a vehicle.Sheep in a field at Twenty Pence Road, Wilburton, were slaughtered during a cruel act of vandalism: the owner of the sheep believes they were run over deliberately by a vehicle. (Image: Archant)

“When we went to check the sheep the electric fence had been run down,” she said. “The sheep were scattered up the field. “In the past we have had dog attacks but we can see clearly they have been bowled over by a vehicle. “It’s senseless, we can’t get our heads round it, not only is it cruel to the animals but there is also a financial loss as well.”

With 10 dead sheep and another two unaccounted for, the incident has cost Mrs Flint and her husband Roger, 47, around £2,500.

The remaining 93 sheep have been moved to a different field whilst the couple secure the broken fence.

“We have 500 breeding ewes alongside cattle, we are full time farmers and this is our main income,” Mrs Flint added. “For something like this to happen, especially this year after the difficult summer we had, we feel like there is no hope.”

Ely Standard: Sheep in a field at Twenty Pence Road, Wilburton, were slaughtered during a cruel act of vandalism: the owner of the sheep believes they were run over deliberately by a vehicle. A car mat left at the sceneSheep in a field at Twenty Pence Road, Wilburton, were slaughtered during a cruel act of vandalism: the owner of the sheep believes they were run over deliberately by a vehicle. A car mat left at the scene (Image: Archant)

But Mrs Flint said more than 200 people have responded to a Facebook post about the ordeal within 24 hours.

She added: “I hope anyone who knows anything could help.”

A Cambs Police spokesman said: “We were contacted yesterday morning (Sunday, September 23) with reports that a number of sheep had been killed in a field near Twenty Pence Road, Wilburton.

“Between 4pm on Saturday and 9am yesterday a vehicle was driven into the field, killing eight sheep and injuring several others.

“Anyone with information regarding this incident should call police on 101 quoting 35/32170/18 or visit www.cambs.police.uk/report.”