How did this happen?

[jemski]

I've been away for a couple of days and came home to this. Lamb was flat out on its side, had obviously struggled but no reason to be cast. There is a hole in its skull to its brain. Was alive but brain damaged. Could sit up when assisted.

They are in a field that is stock fenced all round with no trees in it. However, along one side are houses. The lamb was on that side.

 

[llamedos]

Did you notice any signs of bot fly worry in summer?

 

[roscoe erf]

air gun ?

 

[David.]

Crossbow bolt.

 

[Guiggs]

Shot with something!!

 

[neilo]

Shot with something!!

Don't want to like that, but a good possibility from the looks of it.

 

[jemski]

Yes, that had crossed my mind but I didn't want to believe it!

 

[Badshot]

I've had sheep shot. With rifles in the past. some less than responsible shooters don't care where they shoot and will also shoot at unidentified eyes.

 

[Guiggs]

Hard to tell from the pic but the bald stripe across its face could be where the bullet from a rifle has scorched it's hair as its grazed past it and then hit the side of its skull?!
Do you allow anybody to shoot your land?
I'd be making a phone call to them if you do!
Again hard to tell but looks like quite a large calibre rifle?!

 

[chris elk]

I agree with the above the scorch mark across top of its head would suggest a rifle bullet, as it's still alive possibly a .22 rim fire ?.

 

[Guiggs]

I agree with the above the scorch mark across top of its head would suggest a rifle bullet, as it's still alive possibly a .22 rim fire ?.

Looks like quite a large entry for a .22 but agree if it was much bigger it would probably be dead or missing a lump!

 

[Badshot]

That strip is too wide for a bullet mark, the hole looks too big for a bullet really.
Is it a tup lamb? Could it be a fighting injury?

 

[onthehoof]

There's a chance it could have been crows or magpies, if it was laying on its side and cast the birds could have sat on its head and pecked the hole and the missing hair is where their claws scrabbled to get a hold, can't see if it's eye is missing but they usually go for that first. We had a cow a few years ago that had a scab on its back just above the tail head, magpies used to sit on its back and peck at it made a hole 2 inches deep before we could shoot the feckers.

 

[Yale]

 

[Henarar]

There's a chance it could have been crows or magpies, if it was laying on its side and cast the birds could have sat on its head and pecked the hole and the missing hair is where their claws scrabbled to get a hold, can't see if it's eye is missing but they usually go for that first. We had a cow a few years ago that had a scab on its back just above the tail head, magpies used to sit on its back and peck at it made a hole 2 inches deep before we could shoot the feckers.

we had them do that to the bull

 

[Pan mixer]

Looks like it has been shot to me, I have had a crossbow bolt kill one before now too, some people are sick.

 

[Recoil]

There has been a number of cases around here lately of kids using sheep for target practice.