A pregnant cow was slaughtered by a group of burglars.

The cow, described as “quiet and quite slow” by owner Geraldine Hinson, was led away from its fellow herd and killed by intruders.

Mrs Hinson said the motives being the killing were unknown but that it looked as though the cow, which did not have a name, had been tormented before it was killed.

The Argus has chosen not to reveal the full details of what happened to the Hereford cow as it is too upsetting.

Yesterday Mrs Hinson said: “It was horrible.

“It was led from farmland to a valley several fields away.

“It would not have left its calf and the other herd.

“I don’t know who would do this. Perhaps they wanted the meat although it was an old cow and was pregnant. Maybe it was just for fun.

“You hear about horses being attacked and there are some sick people about.”

The thieves also damaged the doors to the toilet block when they broke into the farm and stole an industrial size battery.

Sussex Police Farm Watch has sent information to members of the rural community about the incident to warn them to watch out for suspicious people on their land.

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: “Officers were called to an address in Hadlow Down Road, Crowborough, following a report that an outbuilding had been broken into.

“It is believed the break-in happened between 10.10am on Sunday November 11, and 10.15am the following day, when it was reported to police.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting serial 0416 of November 12.”

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