A horrified farmer has spoken of a sick attack by men who came onto her property with dogs in order to kill her pet rhea bird.
The large South-American bird, which resembles an ostrich, was left dripping with blood following the attack, which saw men in camouflage gear shouting ‘kill it’ while their dogs gave chase.
The bird’s horrified owner, farmer Lucy Keegan, said the attack, which took place in a field in the village of Shelf, near Halifax, has left her traumatised.
Lucy rushed her male bird, called Mr, to a vet but it has sadly died since, police are now investigating the incident.
She said four men and two lurcher-type dogs were chasing her rheas during the sickening attack on Wednesday, November 30. The men were shouting 'kill it, kill it, kill it'.
Lucy ran out to confront them before they left in a Vauxhall Astra.
She has said she believes the men came to her property in order to kill her rheas "for the hell of it" and she branded them 'sick'.
West Yorkshire Police have launched an investigation into the incident.
She said: ”I’m absolutely devastated.
“He died as a direct result of this horrendous attack so even more reason to catch these guys before they do something like this again.
“They’re evil.
“He obviously suffered and wouldn’t wish this on anyone.
“Two hunting dogs pinned him down for over nine minutes and attacked him.”
“We’re going to bury him in the field, but I’m not sure how I’m going to bring myself to do that.”
Lucy heard a loud noise in her garden as she was about to leave to pick her girls up from school.
She was stunned to see four men in camouflage gear with two lurcher-type dogs who were mauling the giant bird.
He was left covered in blood as they locked their jaws on his legs and neck.
Farmer Lucy ran out and managed to scare the men off who then sped away in a Vauxhall Astra van.
Lucy rushed Mr to the vets and he was being treated for deep cuts and he was prescribed painkillers and antibiotics.
Their female rhea - named Missy - was also spooked and has been left traumatised.
She added: “I left the house to check on my hens as usual before the school run.
“It was slightly earlier by pure coincidence thankfully.
“I heard shouting but thought nothing of it as the dog walking area can be noisy and saw four men and a white Astra van parked on the road at the side of our field.
“I was confronted by men in our field and two lurcher-type dogs chasing the rheas.
“They were shouting ‘Kill it, kill it, kill it’ and their dogs attacked the male as it was sleeping.
“There was blood everywhere.
“It was horrendous and I was just screaming at them to get off our land.
“The men got the dogs back and drove off.
“I saw it all happen but couldn’t do anything to stop it.”
A Force spokesman said: "Many of you may be aware of the incident where a pet Rhea was attacked by a dogs in the Shelf area on the 30th November . Sadly the animal has now died as a result of its injuries
"If anyone has any information about who may be responsible for this horrific attack or any dash cam footage of a white Astra van in the area between 1320 and 1400 on the 30th of November please get in touch.
"You can make contact by calling 101 and quoting 13220660146 or email ld.wildlifeandruralcrimeteam@westyorkshire.police.uk or call Crimestoppers 0800 555 111."
