OUTRAGED farmer John Ward voiced his disgust this week at the people behind the agonising death of hundreds of ducks.

More than 200 mallards died over the weekend when gallons of oil were poured into six ponds at Astbury and Somerford used by local shooting syndicates.

The ducks drowned in the thick, black sump oil, or were killed by foxes as they struggled to the banks.

Farmers and club members succeeded in saving about 150 of the birds, which are recovering after having the black slime cleaned from their clogged feathers.

Animal rights activists or someone with a grudge against the shoot are suspected of being behind the killings, and detectives are appealing for the pubic's help in catching those responsible.

Five of the ponds are owned by Mr Ward, from White Thorn Farm, Astbury, who is the captain of the Somerford and Astbury Shoot.

"We have two part-time game keepers, who found the dead and dying birds at 9am on Saturday,'' said Mr Ward.

"Someone had thrown 25 litres of sump oil in each of the five ponds on Friday night, and the birds who had not flown off were either dead or dying.

"The scene was like a black hole, with a few ducks who had managed to crawl to the side dying from being choked by the oil.

"Whoever has done this is not right in the head, and to do something so vindictive is unbelievable.''

Along with the birds the oil also claimed the lives of numerous water hens, coots and hundreds of roach.

A team of volunteers spent the weekend putting straw on the ponds in a bid to soak up the oil, although the ponds may not be able to be used again before next year.

Detective Sergeant Paul Bailey from Congleton CID said animal rights activists were not being ruled out for responsibility for the attack.

However no group had claimed responsibility, he said, and the cruelty of the killings went against the beliefs of such groups.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious in the Astbury or Somerford area on Friday night please ring Congleton CID on 271144.

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