VOLUNTEERS at an animal rescue centre where 25 geese where beheaded have started a campaign to install CCTV.

Those at Wetheriggs Animal Rescue, near Barnard Castle, were left devastated when they found the birds had been killed overnight on July 9.

The charity’s head keeper, Sally Bowes, who lives onsite, said the “horrific attack” had left all the volunteers in shock.

She said: “July 9 was one of the worst days in Wetheriggs’ history. The horrific attack on defenseless geese and goslings left me in a state of shock and the knowledge that with no CCTV footage the people who did this will be much more likely to get away with it sickened me.”

Ms Bowes said the criminals must have struck in the dead of night to carry out the attack and because there is no CCTV covering the site at Thorpe Farm, she is doubtful those responsible will be caught.

Now she is hoping to raise £2,000 though a crowdfunding campaign to install the cameras and equipment that could safeguard the rescue’s 1,000 animals in the future.

And after setting up the page, she has already had more than £800 of donations from well wishers in less than a week.

“We are really touched by how much we have raised already,” the 23-year-old said. “It’s just been amazing with the response. We have been here about four years now and it’s just so touching that people are saying we are doing a good job and ‘We believe in you’.

“We are almost half way there and we know it’s brining people together after these awful times too.”

  • Officers from Durham Constabulary are still investigating the attack and asked anyone with information to call 101and quote incident number DHM-09072018-0140.
  • To donate to the campaign visit gofundme.com/cctv-at-wetheriggsarc or for more information about the rescue visit wetheriggsanimalrescue.co.uk or call 01833-627444 or 07764 352835.