Sheep have been put down after being found in a car boot following police helicopter search in Rutland.
Rutland police were called at 8.30am yesterday (13 August) following reports of men trying to injure livestock in the small county.
The call reported men trying to harm livestock on Hambleton footpath in Rutland.
Police officers and a force helicopter then set off to find a white Peugeot which was believed to have an injured sheep in its boot.
The car was found at 9.30am off Florence Wragg Way in Oadby with the animal inside.
A spokesperson for Leicestershire Police said: "An emergency vet was called to assess the condition of a sheep found in the boot of the car, and the decision was made that it was in the best interest of the animal for it to be destroyed.
"Two men aged 19 and 28 were arrested in connection with the incident and remain in police custody."
A third man was also arrested for obstructing a police officer and remains in custody.
The news comes as a new NFU report released today showed the cost of rural theft has risen sharply in the first half of 2017.
