INTRUDERS killed three sheep and a parrot after breaking into a pet sanctuary.
They scaled wire mesh fences before kicking the animals and scattering poisonous rhododendron leaves in the sheep pen.
Billy Laybourn, the 53-year-old animal keeper at Pets Corner, in Jesmond Dean, Newcastle, said: "They must have known what they were doing to pick that plant out of all the others."
The sheep were favourites with visiting school parties. A fourth survived the attack.
An African grey parrot died after branches were used to batter its cage.
The bird, called Eva, had been donated, along with another African grey, from a couple in Darlington.
The attack happened in the early hours of Wednesday.
RSPCA spokeswoman Helen Briggs said: "This was just horrific. I can't even begin to imagine what could motivate someone to carry out such an attack."
Anyone with any information is asked to call Northumbria Police on 0191-214 6555.
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