Shaunetta the sheep shot dead

Published Date: 28 July 2009
By Caroline Gough.

THE now-famous Shaunetta the Sheep is no more after a marksman shot her dead yesterday.

Her plight was highlighted in Friday's Whitby Gazette.

RSPCA inspector Justin Le Masurier arrived on Monday afternoon and surveyed the cliff top near Hawsker with high hopes of Shaunetta being rescued.

But even as Tyne Tees Television's Monday evening bulletin was retelling our story of Shaunetta's predicament, the now-famous sheep was already dead.

The decision was taken by the RSPCA and the sheep's owner to shoot Shaunetta due to the fact a rescue attempt could be dangerous as the sheep may bolt causing harm to itself or people involved in the rescue.

The option of using a tranquiliser dart was also ruled out for fear Shaunetta may get confused and wander off the cliff edge.

At 6.45pm Shaunetta was brought ashore to be returned to the farmer.

We broke the story of Shaunetta after Gazette reader Juanita Degenaar brought in pictures.

Sightseers and television crews, including Sky and Tyne Tees, went out to sea to see her and reported she looked in a good state of health only today.

Mr Le Masurier told the Gazette: "In the interests of its welfare, attempting a rope rescue on a 200ft cliff face would be too dangerous for the animal and for any rescue personnel.

"I thank members of the public for bringing it to our attention, the press and the coastguard and most of all the particular effort of off-duty coastguards Rob Parkin and Don Crank who assisted us.

"We understand the public's concern. It is sad sometimes but we took the difficult decision as it was in the interests of the animal.

"The farmer said his sheep had been a good ewe over the years but in the interests of her welfare the decision was made jointly by the farmer and myself to shoot Shaunetta.

"It was a difficult decision, it's a a sad story and we understand the public's concern but what we have done has been in the best interests of all concerned.

"The owner made the decision to have the animal humanely put to sleep.

"The action was taken with the animal's best interests at heart.

"The decision was made as it was deemed too dangerous to attempt a rescue.

"The owner arranged an independent marksman.

"An RSPCA chief inspector was present to ensure it was carried out humanely, and the carcass was removed.

"The RSPCA regularly rescues animals trapped on cliffs but there isn't always a happy ending.

"The procedure was carried out quickly and cleanly and the sheep would not have suffered."

Our first story yesterday prompted the following comments on our website:
zedoctor said: "people cannot just leave well alone, the animal wanted to be there and would probably have found its way off. instead we interfered."
Pete Budd, Lost in the Forest, claimed this was "Emergency services out of control?"

http://www.whitbygazette.co.uk/news/EXCLUSIVE-UPDATE-Shaunetta-the-sheep.5499852.jp