03-06-2025
'Absolutely devastating' sanctuary break-in sees several animals dead
The owner of an animal sanctuary has spoken of his devastation after a break-in which caused many animals to be killed.
Peter Loy, who runs Greenbank Animal Sanctuary in the Haulgh, said: 'It's devastating – absolutely devastating.
'This is supposed to be a sanctuary and I feel that I've failed them because I couldn't keep them safe.'
In the early hours of May 4 the sanctuary was broken into and a stable door forced open, releasing the chickens and goats.
The resulting stampede caused several animals to lose their lives and many more to be injured.
Peter said: 'Since the accident we've had over £3,000 worth of vet bills and we've had to spend so much money on security.'
Three ducks, seven hens, three roosters, a turkey and a guinea fowl died in the incident.
Peter said that one of the goats has been so traumatised by the break-in that she no longer leaves her stable.
He said: 'The goats are still traumatised three weeks on – she won't even come out of her stable now and she used to love her goat tower.'
Peter Loy runs Greenbank Animal Sanctuary with his husband (Image: Peter Loy)Greenbank Animal Sanctuary takes in animals that have been abandoned, abused and neglected – with some having even suffered sexual abuse.
Peter said: 'We take the most broken animals that no one else will – there's very few places in the country that would take these animals.
'This attack has been so horrifically detrimental to the wellbeing of the animals.'
He said that one of the goats had befriended a chicken who would sleep in the same stable at night.
Peter said: 'He used to sleep with the chicken – she would put herself to bed and they would literally stay there all night until morning.'
Sadly – during the break-in – the goat ended up killing the chicken with his horn in the panic of the stampede.
Peter said: 'Now he bleats for her at night – I think it's because he thinks that he killed his best friend.'
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A duck also had its bill smashed – now needing a prosthetic bill to keep its tongue in its mouth.
One of the ducks had its bill smashed in the incident (Image: Peter Loy) Peter, who runs the sanctuary with his husband who is Vietnamese, believes the attack may have been motivated by homophobia and racism.
He said: 'I'm angry – not at the person who did it – but at the people who enabled them.
'People who do extreme things are influenced by ideology and misinformation.
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'We just don't feel safe here anymore – we're now scared to leave our home and we have to have someone watch the property.
'We have given everything to these animals – they aren't just animals but feel like my children.
'It breaks my heart because I swore to protect them and failed to protect them.'
Greater Manchester Police were contacted and said that they closed the investigation because no suspect was identified.
