A lamb has been shot dead and a ewe seriously injured in a bizarre attack at a Scottish farm.

The animals were at Beoch Farm in Loch Doon, Dalmellington, when the cruel incident happened at around 4.20pm on Sunday.

Farmer Jock Welsh posted on Facebook: “Today (Sunday) we had different problems to what you would normally get at lambing time.

“The red van with three or four men were out and about with a air rifle and managed to kill the lamb after about seven or eight pellets into it and the ewe badly injured with again a lot of pellets into it.

“So please anyone that has seen this van going about the Dalmellington, Bellsbank, Patna area please try and get a registration and get in touch with either me or the police.”

Police said they are looking to talk to the occupants of the red van or anyone who has information about the incident.

Inspector Christine Boyd, of Galston Police Station, said: “We believe those involved drove off in a red Ford Escort van and we are appealing to anyone who may have seen this van to contact police.

“Our officers will be patrolling the area and carrying out further enquiries into the incident.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 101, quoting incident 2376 of 3 May.

Lamb shot dead and ewe seriously injured by intruders at Scottish farm