Desborough bull calves in air rifle and pitchfork attacks

Up to 14 bull calves have been shot with air rifles and attacked with pitchforks at a Northamptonshire farm.

The animals, all of which survived, were attacked at West Lodge Farm Park in Desborough on Saturday night.

Owner Edward Dee said the vet had "so far extracted 20 air rifle pellets and we still have seven more bulls to do". He said it was the third time his shed had been broken into this month.

Northamptonshire Police confirmed they were investigating the attacks.

Joint farm owner Mr Dee said one of the bull calves - uncastrated bulls about one year of age - had been shot through the eye.

The animal is receiving treatment but it is hoped his sight will be saved.

"The others were all shot around the eye area and in the head, so it is obvious they were aiming for the eyes," Mr Dee said.

The animals were also attacked with a pitchfork used to rake through hay in the shed, which is in a remote part of the farm's parkland.

Mr Dee said they were still checking seven of the calves for injuries.

"They have very thick skins so it's not always easy to tell," he said.

"We are really worried that it will happen again and worried about how far the people will go," he said.

Northamptonshire Police have appealed for witnesses.