Shocking picture of sheep hung to death in tailgate of cattle lorry sparks animal cruelty probe Stricken animal was spotted crushed in lorry doors by motorists Official investigation launched into incident in Pembrokeshire, West Wales Animal welfare group said sheep 'suffered considerable pain' before death This sickening photograph shows a sheep suffering an agonising death - trapped in the tailgate of a cattle wagon. Drivers watched in horror as they saw the lorry with the sheep's head crushed between the heavy back doors. The farmer was eventually flagged down on the country road but it was too late for the sheep which died from strangulation. Horrific: Shocked motorists could only look on impotently as the witnessed the sheep, circled, being strangled to death in the tailgate of a cattle wagon Government agriculture officials are now investigating the alleged animal cruelty in Pembrokeshire, West Wales. The photograph was taken by a member of an animal charity who was driving behind the cattle lorry. It caused outrage when it was posted on the Facebook page of the charity which works to protect horses. A spokesman for the group called VANAH said: 'It is very clear that the codes of conduct which regulate the movement of these animals were ignored. The driver loaded the vehicle with live sheep, and one somehow, got trapped in the door when it was closed. The sheep would not have survived very long due to the immense pressure of the closing of the ramp. It suffered considerable pain, hung there bleeding or suffocating or with a broken neck. Campaign: Animal welfare groups have long campaigned for better conditions to be introduced for the transportation of livestock. The sheep was one of hundreds in the cattle wagon being transported from a farm for sale at a market in West Wales. The interior of the transporter has three different levels to load in as many sheep as possible. But the unfortunate creature was one of the last to go in and may have tried to bolt as the tailgate closed. A Pembrokeshire County Council spokesman said: 'Our Animal Health Team is currently investigating in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. We believe the photograph to be genuine. We are also looking at the design of this particular wagon.