A man has been arrested in connection with a number of 'occult' attacks on sheep.
Police have been investigating the deaths of a number of farm animals in the New Forest in Hampshire for several months.
In November, a dead sheep was found with satanic symbols painted onto its fur, and police said a number of cows had also been found wounded in woodland.
In January, police found a ewe that had been stabbed to death and left next to a pitchfork and a cross made of hay.
Officers today confirmed that a man had been arrested in connection with the deaths.
A Hampshire Police spokesman said: "Officers investigating a number of sheep deaths in the New Forest have today arrested a man.
"A 41-year-old man from Winchester has been arrested on suspicion of six counts of criminal damage.
"They relate to the deaths of sheep in Wittensford Lane and Kewlake Lane, Cadnam, and Penn Road, Bramshaw.
"He remains in custody at this time."
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