Friday, September 23, 2005

The Wild Sheep Chase

BLOOMFIELD, N.B. (CP) -

Investigators say it's likely that 16 sheep found slaughtered in a New Brunswick farmer's field were killed by a wild animal. The bodies of the sheep were discovered on Tuesday scattered across a hill, some skinned with precision. On Thursday, a necropsy report back from a lab in Fredericton said there was a "high probability" the animals were attacked by a predator.
The animals all died from puncture wounds to their throats. Mark LeBlanc, an SPCA animal protection officer, had speculated earlier this week the puncture wounds may have come from a flat head screwdriver. But on Thursday, he was uncertain. The sheep were discovered by their owner.

Bears are the only animal known to carefully skin their prey once caught.

© 2005 The Chronicle-Herald - Halifax. All rights reserved

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