Animal Rising group steals three lambs from royal Sandringham estate — claiming they saved them from slaughter

ANIMAL Rising activists stole three lambs from the Sandringham estate claiming they were saving them from slaughter.

Three women — Rosa Sharkey, 23, Sarah Foy, 23, and Rose Patterson — put the animals in a van on Wednesday evening then drove to a field.

In a video the trio said it was heartbreaking taking the lambs, which they named Sammy, Sunny, and Sooty, from mums.

They said the sheep were left with experts to care for them.

The women drove to Windsor Castle and posed with banners saying “I rescued the King’s sheep”.

They then handed themselves in to police.

Patterson, 33, was among activists held over protests at April’s Grand National.

Animal Rising said: “We can confirm the animals have not been returned to the farmer, or released into the wild.

“They are safe and with animal experts who will care for them and allow them to live happily.”

Police are understood to be still searching for the lambs.

In 2018 Sandringham brought in a sheep flock to improve the soil.

Its website says its farms produce grass-fed lamb for the onsite restaurant, café and local butcher.