The brutal attack followed a break and enter at Wauchope High School which left one animal dead, while another 25 sheep were unharmed after being released from their yard in the school’s grounds. Detective Inspector Steve Clarke said police were called to the school about 10.30pm on Friday after a sheep’s carcass was found.

Officers confronted a viscerally sickening scene, he said. They discovered the animal with a 12-inch cut along its stomach. 

“It basically looks like they’ve tried to tear the insides out of it,” Detective Inspector Clarke said.

In addition to such barbaric behaviour, the attacker/s sliced an eight-inch cut along the sheep’s throat, Detective Inspector Clarke said. 

“They’ve nearly beheaded it,” he added.

Photographs of the sheep following the attack reportedly sickened investigators, and were too disturbing for publication.

The savagery marked a senselessly violent start to the school holidays, and was cause for the entire community’s concern, he said.

“This is very, very disturbing behaviour. What sort of person does this?” 

“How can a person do this?”

On Tuesday afternoon, despite nearly four days of extensive investigations, police said they had no suspects in the case. They had earlier asked to speak with anyone seen leaving the school ground late on Friday night, but confirmed yesterday that these enquiries had proved fruitless.

But, the senior investigator insisted, those maliciously committing such wanton acts can be caught with the community’s help. 

“We need people to come forward and help us on this one,” he said.

Anyone with knowledge of this incident is urged to contact the Mid North Coast Local Area Command on 65830199, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 1800 333000.