The number of poaching incidents in North Yorkshire has dropped by almost a third in a year, a report has found.

The RSPCA, and Yorkshire Swan Rescue Hospital, were alerted after a member of the public spotted the bird in a 'lethargic' condition close to Brunthwaite Swing Bridge.

Janicke Tvedt, 55 was walking her Labrador named Goose when she was attacked and trampled by a herd of cows.

It is not known what has caused the fire, but witnesses say it appears to be on farm land, with horses also believed to be nearby.

PC Graham Bilton, North Yorkshire Police's wildlife crime officer for the Scarborough area, investigated the incident.

Poachers are striking at farms across North Yorkshire on a nightly basis causing thousands of pounds damage to crops, fields, security measures as well as leaving wild animals for dead.

Take a look on any one of those online neighbourhood forums and you’ll see ‘dumping’ and ‘fly-tipping’ right at the top of the discussion boards.

Inspector Clive Turner, of North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Task Force, said:

“With many types of fuel doubling in price, including cooking and heating oils, diesel and petrol, officers are determined to suffocate the black market that has emerged for stolen fuel.

One of the quads was a demonstration vehicle on display at the Datatool stand at Harrogate Showground. The other was part of agricultural machinery suppliers Carrs Billington's stand.

An investigation has been launched after a rural post office had its windows smashed and cash and stamps were stolen in a midnight burglary.

Specialist rural officers at North Yorkshire Police have vowed to reduce poaching even further with the help of tough new legislation.

North Yorkshire firefighters declared an unprecedented major incident today (July 19) as every appliance was used to tackle large fires across the county.

A woman attacked by 'frenzied cows' says she would have been killed if it wasn't for her husband. Margaret Donlon was having a quiet country walk on a public footpath when the cows set upon her.

Dramatic footage has emerged on social media of a 300m wall of fire ripping through a cereal crop as temperatures reached 32C and the Met Office issued a rare amber weather warning of extreme heat for the coming weekend.

Police in Ryedale say they are appealing for witnesses, information and possible sightings after a black Mitsubishi L200 single cab pickup truck – registration MG11 EKY - was stolen from a farmyard in the Great Barugh area of Ryedale.