VANDALS struck at a pet corner in Stretford over night on Monday leaving a trail of destruction behind them.

And the man who looks after the animals at Longford Park says that the culprits are just 'mindless morons'.

Several young chickens, two guinea fowl and a Muscovy duck were among the animals stolen - although one of the guinea fowl was later found in the park, slaughtered.

And a peacock looks likely to lose an eye after being attacked by the raiders during the devastation.

Christopher Boardman, who looks after the variety of creatures at the enclosure, says that he is disgusted with the whole affair.

He told SUM: "It has left me with a sour taste in my mouth to think that someone could carry out such a mindless act.

"No decent person would do such a thing - especially against animals who cannot defend themselves."

The mini-zoo has been in the park for more than twenty years and underwent a revamp as recently as last October.

It houses a variety of birdlife along with sheep and other farm animals and is a popular place with local people.

Christopher went on: "We had to keep the enclosure closed all day on Tuesday while we had new security fitted and assessed the damage to the animals.

"It is sad to think that parents with young children who flood into the place during school holidays could have been deprived of the community facility because of a few sick morons."

The place was open again as usual on Wednesday and police are looking into the incident which took place between 8.30pm on Monday and 7am on Tuesday.

Anyone who may know the whereabouts of the missing animals can contact Stretford police station on 856-7666.

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