1:03PM, Sat Jul 7, 2012

Calf Killer On The Loose: Police Continue Hunt After Animal Decapitated

By Jenny Wotherspoon Location: Whickham

Farmer described finding his only white calf decapitated

Police are still hunting the killer of a white calf which was found decapitated near Derwent Walk in Whickham.

The animal's head taken, leaving just its body to be found by farmer Brian Ford, of Hillside Farm, Gateshead.

Mr Ford said: "I went to check on the cows and the calf wasn't in the field. The mother was obviously distressed."

After spending time searching Mr Ford found the dead calf's body just 200 yards from his home, among the trees just outside his farm.

"The head had been removed. You could see the nicks in the neck. What was strange was that it was the only pure-white calf."

Brian told Sky Tyne and Wear he was concerned that a suspect has not yet been found.

"The police have said that people who do this wouldn't do anything else, but I just don't know."

Over a decade earlier one of the horses on the farm was shot with a crossbow, but nobody was arrested in connection with the attack.

Sgt Jeff Purves of the Inner West Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "We want to reassure the public we are doing all we can to trace those responsible."

Anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity in the area or has any information is asked to contact police on 101 ext 69191 or independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.