NAPA, Calif. (AP) -- Three sheep have been shot to death and seven lambs have been stolen while grazing in a Napa wine country vineyard.

Sheep herder George Richmond, who was hired to graze his 20 sheep at the Mount Veeder Vineyard, says the thieves likely took the lambs for meat.

Richmond tells the San Francisco Chronicle that he arrived at the vineyard Friday morning and the main gate was open. The flock was scattered on the property, some of them on a neighboring vineyard.

A ram, a ewe and lamb had gunshot wounds. Seven lambs were missing.

Vineyard owner Tom Meadowcroft says the flock was clearing brush. The Babydoll Southdowns are specially bred to be short so they cannot reach the grapes.

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Information from: San Francisco Chronicle, http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle

Copyright 2011 The AP.