18 Oct 2018
'Silly' farm raider comes forward after unbolting gates and releasing 120 buffalo
A man showing ’genuine remorse’ has come forward after admitting to unbolting stable doors and farm gates to let horses and over 120 buffalo loose onto icy main roads.
The incident happened at around 4am on Sunday morning (March 4) at Shawsmill Stables and a nearby buffalo farm in Shawsmill, Scotland.
CCTV footage showed a male entering private property and unbolting several stable doors in three different stable blocks - letting a number of horses loose.
He then proceeded to kick the horses upon letting them loose. Several horses were able to wander onto dangerous, icy main roads.
One horse suffered serious injuries from falling on the icy road.
In addition to this, neighbours at a buffalo farm nearby suffered a similar incident with 18 heavy steel gates being opened - letting over 120 buffalo loose into the snow and ice.
The stress caused one buffalo to give birth to her calf early. The property was also covered in blood from several injured buffalo.
The man has now come forward to confess with charging being pursued via the police.
A spokesman for Shawsmill Stables said: "I would just like to start by thanking everyone who has been in contact to offer us support, those who shared our post far and wide, and those who came forward with a name.
"The person who commited this act has personally been to see us today to confess what he has done. He has also been to the buffalo farm to confess.
"Although we are heartbroken and understandably angry, we do feel genuine remorse from the person who has done this.
"We can not forgive but hopefully in time we can forget and put all of this behind us.
"We do not wish to publicly name and shame this person as we could not live with ourselves if any harm came to him. Right or wrong - we have to live with ourselves at the end of the day.
"Another person’s wrongs should not hinder your own ethics and morals.
"Charges are still being pursued via the police so the person will have to face what he has done via correct and legal means.
"Dior (the injured horse) has been viewed by the vet again today. If all goes well - she should make a full recovery even though her injuries are still quite severe.
"Once again - thank you for all your help. The love and support we have received far outweighs the silly actions of one person."
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