UPDATE: The ewe left in a critical condition after her four-month-old lamb was allegedly tortured by teens who broke into Pittwater High School over the weekend has died.

The ewe suffered severe stress and was being treated by vet Dr Peter Prendergast from Collaroy Vet. Dr Prendergast said he was unsure if the ewe’s death was directly linked to the incident but the traumatic experience would not have helped.

“It might have been unwell and the stress has tipped it over the edge,” he said.

Dr Prendergast said the ewe had a low red blood cell count , which could happen after pregnancy. He said she would have been in a more vulnerable state having only recently given birth to two lambs.

“They’re in a more susceptible state after they’ve been pregnant so to have other stress compounds the issue,” he said.

An Education Department spokesman said the school community was deeply saddened and support was available for students and staff.

media_camera The two lambs in their enclosure at Pittwater High School. Picture: Troy Snook.

“Pittwater High will continue to provide care for the lamb involved,” he said.

Police arrested the teen allegedly responsible, under the Young Offenders Act, on Monday and said they considered the matter “very serious.”

The teens could allegedly be heard giggling as they filmed themselves torturing the defenceless lamb after breaking into an animal enclosure at Pittwater High School over the weekend.

The four-month-old baby, with its terrified mother nearby, was allegedly swung by its hind legs and then thrown in the direction of someone who was recording the senseless act.

Police said they found out about the incident when footage emerged on social media allegedly showing a 16-year-old Collaroy youth swinging the four-month-old lamb by the hind legs and slinging it in the direction of a person thought to be holding a smartphone.

Dr Peter Prendergast from Collaroy Vets was initally called to the school on Tuesday morning to treat the distressed animals and had to watch the sickening images to determine the extent of the animal’s injuries.

He said it was horrific.

“I saw the lamb being spun around by its legs by a young man and there was giggling in the background.”

media_camera The four-month-old lamb was allegedly swung by its hind legs. Picture: Troy Snook.

The lamb suffered no obvious injuries but the mother was in a critical condition after the incident, suffering severe stress from the ordeal.

She also has a wound to her neck which the vet said could have occurred during the panic of the attack.

The ewe was being treated daily with fluids and antibiotics but sadly, passed away on Wednesday.

“They’ve been through a harrowing experience,” Dr Prendergast said. “It would have been extremely stressful. They’re very protective of their young.”

The police are continuing their investigation into the involvement of other youths in the incident.

Northern Beaches crime manager Insp Craig Wonders said two or more young people entered the school grounds between 2pm on Sunday and 6am on Monday and entered the school’s animal enclosure by scaling a fence using a ladder that was leaned against it.

Inside the enclosure are animals and a vegetable garden.

The school has an agriculture course for students in Years 8, 9 and 10 that aims to develop their knowledge and understanding of agricultural enterprises.

The school’s website says at least half of the available class time in its agriculture course is taken up with practical exercises.

“Students, for example, will grow their own crops, raise their own chickens and worms and eat the honey extracted from the school’s beehives,” it states.

Insp Wonders urged anyone who was near the school on Sunday afternoon or evening, or in the early hours of Monday morning to call police on 9971 3399 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000.