Rustlers blamed for dead cattle horror (From Stroud News and Journal)

Rustlers blamed for dead cattle horror

police suspect that the death of 14 cattle which were left for six days without food or water in a secluded building in Woodchester could be the result of a bungled attempt at cattle rustling.

The chilling discovery of the rotting carcasses of 14 two-year-old Belgium Blue beef cattle was initially made by a neighbour on Friday, five days after they had become separated from a herd of 28.

The neighbour, who lived close to the former milking parlour near Woodchester Church, discovered the rotting remains after noticing an odious stench in the air.

He had earlier taken the precaution of having his septic tank checked, thinking that to be the origin of the smell.

On investigation, however, he discovered the body of a cow in the doorway of the small building in the field and called the police, who discovered a further 13 carcasses.

Police, a vet, the RSPCA, the animal health section of trading standards and DEFRA (the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) were immediately alerted and investigated the scene for several hours on Saturday.

The owner of the cattle is David Excell, a farmer from Box, but the cattle were grazing on land rented from Woodchester House estate.

PC Tyrone Mein of Stroud Police, who attended the scene, said: "It wasn't pleasant. The dead cattle were enclosed in an area only 12 ft square."

The building is normally locked but the padlock was found to have been forced open.

"I must stress they the cattle were not shot or marked, they were stacked three high and some were crushed while the others had suffocated or died of shock," said PC Mein.

"It is possible that they were herded in for possible later collection and for illegal sale and we ask the farming community to be especially vigilant."

Forensic evidence has been collected for examination and the dead animals were taken away by lorry to be cremated in Exeter.

Mr Excell, 33, and his partner Marie Montesdeo, 32, told the News & Journal they had checked their stock on the previous Sunday and given them their usual evening feed.

The following morning 14 of the cattle had disappeared.

"We first thought they had got out but we checked all our fences and even went up to the building. We are shocked by what has happened; it was an awful site to see and the smell was disgusting," said Ms Montesdeo.

"It has to be somebody professional and we are backing the police theory. It looks like they were being stored to be taken away later," she added.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police on 0845 090 1234 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.