Youths broke into a school for children with learning difficulties and slaughtered their pet chickens.
The sickening attack happened at the Brook Green Centre for Learning in Plymouth on Saturday. Staff made the grim discovery at around 5pm and called the police.
Officers say the culprits broke into the school's grounds and removed several of the chickens from their coops before killing them.
It is not known if the school's CCTV footage captured the vile events, but three youths have since been arrested on suspicion of theft and causing unnecessary cruelty to animals. They have all been released on bail pending further enquiries.
The police are 'refusing to reveal any more details about the accused, including their ages, or how the chickens were killed'.
The area's local paper reports that residents have been 'left stunned' by the attack, but revealed that the school had been targeted in the past. One woman told reporters the school is 'often broken into and vandalised'.
The school caters for children aged 11-16 who have moderate learning, behavioural and social disadvantages.
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