The public is being urged to provide information to the police after a cow was reportedly shot and killed in South Yorkshire.

The incident is believed to have occurred between 10:30pm on August 5 and 6:00am on August 6 at a farm on Brecks Lane, Rotherham.

South Yorkshire Police stated that they have been pursuing several lines of inquiry and are now appealing to the public for assistance.

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The cost of rural crime in the UK reached nearly £53 million last year, according to recent figures released by NFU Mutual.

Livestock theft remained high in 2023, with an estimated cost of £2.7m across the UK. Last year also saw a series of incidents where animals were butchered in fields.

Farm animals valued at approximately £2.4m were severely injured or killed in dog attacks in 2023, an increase of nearly 30% compared to the previous year.