A RECKLESS act of vandalism has led to a landowner in Basingstoke having to put down 20 healthy chickens.

Troy Perrin, 52, who owns a plot of land opposite the Hampshire Clinic in Basing Road, Old Basing discovered that vandals had broken into his land and fed his chickens rat poison.

Mr Perrin, who lives in Oakridge, said there had been several incidents of criminal damage at his and other plots for a number of years, but this was the final straw.

“I have had a number of pieces of equipment stolen and fences broken over the years,” he told The Gazette.

“I previously had ferrets there and they had been stolen, and there are others who had sheds and horse boxes broken into.

“It has been going on for a number of years but this was the last straw and it is now beyond a joke.”

Mr Perrin said the total amount of damage it has cost him over the years is more than £1,000, but has been left “disgusted” that someone could do something like this to an animal.

He reported the incident to the police on the morning of Wednesday, June 29, as he believes the vandals broke in on the Tuesday evening.

He added: “I was devastated that I had to shoot all 20 chickens to prevent them from suffering, because someone decided it was a clever idea to feed them rat poison.

“I believe it is the same group who continue to do this as they appear to know what and where to target.

“There have been other landowners who have already left due to the situation and I am now at the end of my tether.”

Police said the offenders entered a locked horsebox, removed rat poison before scattering the poison in a chicken enclosure.

Officers are encouraging anyone with any information to call 101, quoting 44160241740.