A NUMBER of animals have been kicked and stamped to death in a spate of “absolutely horrific” attacks in Hartlepool.

Police are investigating after a number of allotments between Elmwood Road, Thornhill Gardens and Wiltshire Way were targeted over the weekend.

Pigeons, a goose and chickens have apparently been kicked and stamped to death with others seemingly let out to escape, according to Cleveland Police.

Allotment tenants have been left heartbroken on discovering their birds and the damage caused to their buildings and other possessions.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: “A 69 year old man was left distraught when someone got into a shed and opened a chicken coup sometime between 1pm on Sunday, December 18 and 9am the following morning. Three chickens were removed but one was left on the floor and stamped to death.

“The suspect or suspects then also removed a 15-year old-goose from a hen house and stamped it to death, before burying its head in mud at the allotment.

“Another allotment was targeted between Saturday and Monday, with someone removing the 57-year-old-man’s racing pigeons and again stamping the birds to death, leaving them on the ground.

“A 69 year old male victim also suffered a break in to his allotment where he keeps pigeons, however, the suspect or suspects were unable to get to the birds. They did cause damage within the shed and damaged locks during the burglary.”

Neighbourhood officers are investigating the incidents and they are liaising with colleagues at Hartlepool Borough Council, which is the landlord for the allotments, in an attempt to trace the offenders.

Anyone with information on these incidents is asked to contact PC Jodi Prosser-Mallon via the non-emergency number 101.

Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers by phoning 0800 555 111 or via their website at www.crimestoppers-uk.org