ASBO sheep's sudden death (From Stroud News and Journal)

ASBO sheep's sudden death

STROUD'S most famous sheep has died.

Colin the sheep hit the headlines in December when he narrowly avoided having an Antisocial Behaviour Order (ASBO) slapped on him when he became the prime suspect after flowers were being nibbled at Stroud Cemetery.

The sheep was cleared of the baa-rmy charges when it transpired wild deer were to blame.

But Colin, who was adopted by Highfield Road's Treena de Buriatte after being rejected by his mother, died on Wednesday after a being struck down by a sudden mystery illness.

"Walking the dogs has been the worst," said Treena. "Colin had become so famous and I used to always take him out with the dogs.

"I've been stopped by so many people asking where he is and I've found myself nearly blubbing.

Treena claimed vets had been stumped by the ailment, which killed Colin but poisoning is a possibility.

She had worried his rich diet of digestive biscuits, crisps and tea might not have helped but has been told sheep know not to eat food that would harm them.

To make the grief worse, Colin cannot be buried due to strict laws on disposing of livestock.

Treena said: "I'm going to have to give him to the hunt for their dogs or have him thrown in a furnace."