POLICE have appealed for witnesses and villagers are installing extra security on their properties after a colourful character was murdered at night.

Claude the cockerel was sleeping under a cover in a locked shed at his home at Orchard House, Bishop Monkton, when the intruder broke in, killed him, and left his remains in a corner.

It was the latest incident in a vendetta against cockerels in the village and the second time the eight-month-old Light Sussex bird had been targeted. Two weeks earlier, he had been stolen from the farm near Ripon. His owner, poultry breeder Jane Gosney, was delighted when he was found wandering by the River Ure and returned to her, but within hours he was dead.

Jane is getting a new cockerel, but not before she has installed extra security. “I want to catch him red-handed and hand him over to the police,” she said of the cockerel thief and murderer. “I want him in court. Enough is enough.”

Fellow villagers who have had their cockerels stolen are also taking security measures including putting up CCTV. There is speculation in the village that the vendetta is being mounted by someone who hates the sound of cocks crowing. Police have already questioned one suspect, who denies any involvement. Richard Field, who runs the village’s website, said: “Ninety-nine per cent of the village are shocked and horrified that somebody should be doing this because I think most people would think they are a legitimate part of village life, a pleasant part of village life.

“There is something of a Midsomer Murder about this. People here are resilient. They are not going to be stopped by one person who seems to be obsessed by cockerel noise.”

PC Gareth Jones, who is investigating the break-in, said: “This case has now escalated from a simple theft to a burglary and an alarming case of animal cruelty. It is also extremely distressing for its owner. I urge anyone who knows anything to contact me as soon as possible.”

Three owners have had cockerels stolen in the latest round of the vendetta, including Mrs Gosney.

Anyone with information can phone PC Jones at Ripon police station on 0845 60 60 247 or email him at gareth.jones@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk. You can also give information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.