Mourners 'rammed' by sheep at church graveyard tidying gravestones

Four sheep have sparked a community row in Wales after complaints about the animals' attempting to "headbutt and ram" mourners.

The flock at Mount Road cemetery in St Asaph, Denbighshire, faced an uncertain future when St Asaph Parish Church initially considered parting with two of the animals.

The sheep that had called a Welsh cemetery home for more than 10 years will now remain at their graveyard residence after an outpouring of community support saved them from being sold.

The animals were originally introduced to help manage vegetation at the site, which contains over 700 graves dating back to the 1700s, and have since achieved local celebrity status.

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The trouble began when some visitors reported the sheep's demeanour had taken an unexpected turn in recent weeks.

One woman recounted online how the animals had attempted to "headbutt and ram" her friends and relatives, with some "kicking out with back legs".

She warned the situation could have proved dangerous had elderly visitors or young children been present.

Cemetery coordinator Duncan Cameron identified the culprits as two Zwartbles ewes, a Dutch breed distinguished by black fleeces and white facial markings.

The two-year-old ewes were hand-reared as pet lambs, Mr Cameron explained, making them exceptionally tame and convinced that every visitor carries treats for them.

Despite the complaints, many St Asaph residents rushed to defend their woolly neighbours.

One woman pleaded online: "Don't sell them! My son loves them! It's the highlight of our walk coming to say hello to them."

Another local who passes through the cemetery twice daily insisted the animals posed no trouble whatsoever, describing all four as "a delight".

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Several residents argued visitors themselves were to blame for the situation.

One mother who has lived near the cemetery for 13 years said irresponsible people who cannot leave the sheep alone then complain when approached.

She urged: "They are doing no harm, only good. Leave them alone!"

One man dismissed concerns entirely, declaring: "They're sheep, not pit bulls."

Confronted with such fervent backing for the over-friendly Zwartbles, the church committee yielded to public sentiment and opted to retain them.

Mr Cameron noted the ewes have occasional bursts of energy, chasing their Hebridean companions around the grounds and ducking beneath branches, possibly due to never having encountered a ram.

"But they are lovely sheep who do a great job of maintaining the churchyard," he said, adding dry weather in May had slowed grass growth, raising questions about whether sufficient grazing remained.

For visitors feeling intimidated, Mr Cameron said: "If the sheep bother you, stand still, clap your hands and shout at them. They will soon leave you alone."

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