Ewe: Fresno State student arrested in sheep sexual assault

A Fresno State University student is facing sexual assault charges and a sheep is being monitored by veterinarians after a bizarre incident at the Central Valley school, ABC7 Los Angeles reported.

What is being referred to as the “sheep incident” has shaken up Fresno State after a student heard noises coming from a barn and found a 23-year-old man having sex with one of the ewes, according to ABC7.

“It’s just kind of disgusting and revolting and personally makes me angry. I mean, why would you do that?” Marisa Burkdoll, a student who works with animals on campus, told the TV station. “It’s just kind of sick. It’s unnatural and the animals they can’t really, I mean they can’t defend themselves. They can to an extent but they’re innocent, you know what I mean?”

The unidentified student responsible for the deed told police he had drank alcohol and was stressed out about a midterm, but offered up no other defense of his actions, according to ABC7. He was arrested and charged with sexual assault of an animal, but has since been released from jail.

The sheep, one of many used for breeding at the school, was being treated by a veterinarian.

Kale Williams is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: kwilliams@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @sfkale