Greymouth police are investigating after two sheep were found shot with either a crossbow or a hunting bow.
Sergeant Paul Watson said one was dead in a paddock on Taylorville-Blackball Rd and the other had to be put out of its misery after the owner found it with an arrow sticking out of it.
The owner believed they had been shot on Saturday night.
Police want to hear of any reports of suspicious activity in that area.
"We have seized some evidence which is being examined at the moment and hopefully could lead us to the culprits," Mr Watson said.
Police also appealed for other reports of people hunting illegally.
"What these people did was an act of cruelty on these stock, especially bad was the fact they left one animal to suffer with an arrow poking out of it."
They could not establish if the animals had been shot from the roadside or if the shooter had trespassed on to the property.
"Whatever they did it is illegal and it is especially dangerous to fire any kind of weapons from the roadside," Mr Watson.
Anyone who heard someone bragging about their antics is asked to contact the Greymouth Police Station directly, or anonymously through the Crimestoppers freephone 0800 555 111.
- by Viv Logie
