Cruelty charges laid after death of sheep, burglary in rural ACT

A 27-year-old man has been charged with multiple animal cruelty offences after an alleged break-in at a rural property in Canberra's south.

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ACT Policing alleged the man broke into a Tuggeranong property, next to the Monaro Highway, last month with an 18-year-old and a 16-year-old.

The owner called police on September 17 after finding multiple sheep had been injured.

Police will allege several people went to the property on September 16, rounded up eight sheep and moved them into a holding pen.

It is alleged several sheep were deliberately harmed in the pen, leading to the death of one sheep and the euthanasia of three sheep because of the severity of their injuries.

Police said two more sheep had serious injuries.

Polcie alleged a knife found at a Richardsome home on October 8 was linked to acts of animal cruelty last month. Picture supplied

Additionally, investigators allege the group broke into a house on the property and ransacked it "with a large amount of disruption caused inside of the premises".

Officers from the major crime team, searched a Richardson location on October 8. Police found and seized evidence, including a knife, allegedly related to the burglary.

On October 24, police said they had charged the 27-year-old man with four counts of aggravated cruelty to animals causing death, two counts of aggravated cruelty to animals causing serious injury and aggravated burglary.

The man is expected to face court at a later date. The third accused teenager is wanted by investigators.

Cannabis seized during a search in Richardson on October 8. Picture supplied

Anyone with information about this matter has been asked to contact Crime Stoppers ACT quoting reference number 8501989.

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