The public are being asked to join the fight against poaching in the Forest of Dean.
Police want to hear from anyone in the area who sees or hears any suspicious activity such as gunshots.
This comes just days after Gloucestershire farmer, Rob Jenkins, discovered that a number of cows had been butchered on his fields. He told the BBC that the scenes were “horrendous” and said that “it’s like losing a pet in a way”.
At the time, Gloucestershire Constabulary said “This isn’t something that Gloucestershire in general suffers from”. But now, just three days later, they are asking residents in the Forest of Dean to come forward and call in any reports of poaching in their area.
The Gloucestershire Constabulary have now stepped up patrols and have dedicated their own team of wildlife crime officers to tackle the issue.
Whether it’s the farmers or the land owners who are being affected, there is a growing number of victims of poaching, not to mention the animals themselves. Mr Jenkins said, in an interview with the BBC, “It’s our livelihood. I know that were breeding them for meat, but we’re giving them the best life in the time that they’re alive,” after another cow was found to have been attacked and had to be put down as a result of its injuries.
A spokesperson for the National Farmers’ Union told Park Life News, “When we hear reports of animals being slaughtered and then butchered in fields it is incredibly worrying. The blow is not just a financial one for farmers because they care deeply for their animals and their welfare.” They then went on to say “Our farms should not be seen as a soft target for criminals and with rural crime costing millions every year, the NFU continues to lobby Government and the Home Office.”
Police ask that if you suspect a wildlife crime is being committed, that you call 101 for non emergencies, or 999 if you believe illegal activity is taking place currently.
