THE RSPCA is looking for the owner of a sheep that was tied up outside a pub in what appeared to be an April Fool’s prank.

The rare breed black sheep, thought to be a Shetland Sheep, was found outside the Ashley Pub in Ashley Road, New Milton, at 11.30am on Monday.

It had one end of a blue shoe lace tied around its neck and the other end tied to the play equipment in the pub garden.

RSPCA Inspector Graham Hammond, left, said: “This is clearly not an animal that is used to being tethered and would panic when approached by people, this method of tethering could have caused the sheep a serious injury had it been so spooked by something that it desperately tried to get away.

“I strongly suspect this poor animal is the victim of some sort of April Fool’s prank.

“It has a shaved patch of fleece on the hind left side and rump but otherwise no identifying features.”

The pub staff looked after the ewe until the animal charity arrived and were able to remove her to the safety of RSPCA Ashley Heath Animal Shelter.

Any witnesses or anyone who knows the owner should call Insp Hammond on 0300 123 8018.