Mosgiel man Roy Nimmo says the killing of three of his two-week-old lambs is abhorrent and whoever is responsible should take a long hard look at themselves.
The three lambs were being kept in a paddock next to his home in Cemetery Rd, beside the East Taieri Church, with about 15 other lambs and ewes.
A ewe was also shot in the head but at this stage was still alive, Mr Nimmo said.
It appeared a .22 rifle had been used, he said.
"You don't expect it because it's right beside the church and only a stone's throw from my house, and [for] somebody to be shooting a gun that close to my house is almost as big of a concern as the killing of the lambs."