POLICE are investigating an attack on a lamb which was killed and mutilated in the Tedburn St Mary area between 8pm on Thursday, August 15 and 7am on Friday, August 16.

Police are also investigating whether the incidents are related to two other cases of animals being killed and mutilated, which occurred in the Teign Valley, near Exeter.

In the Bridford area of Teign Valley between 8.30pm on Friday, July 12 and 12.30pm on Saturday, July 13, a number of animals were killed or harmed.

Four ducks were killed, a chicken went missing and a horse's shoe was removed inhumanly.

A goat's horn was also damaged leaving the goat in pain and it needed to be seen by a vet.

Just over a month later another goat was attacked, killed and mutilated at the same address, sometime between 3.30pm on Wednesday, August 14 and 8.30am on Thursday, August 15.

PC Rob Condy-Young from Chudleigh, said: "As these crimes have both happened at the same address within a few weeks of each other they are likely to be linked."

He added: "These are awful crimes and have left the owners of the animals very distressed.

"We need to find the people responsible and are appealing for the public's help in tracking them down."

Anyone who has any information that may assist with the investigation is asked to call police on the 101, quoting crime references JC/13/376, JC/13/435 and JC/13/436.