Crisis in Wales

Total confirmed cases UK-wide 1,439 - with 81 in Wales Powys - 49 cases Anglesey - 13 cases Monmouthshire - 16 cases Caerphilly 1 Rhondda Cynon Taff - 1 Neath Port Talbot -1

But a Monmouthshire County Council audit report has concluded that while lessons must be learnt, the licensed slaughterman was following orders and should not be disciplined.

Action could still be taken against the farmer whose sheep were repeatedly straying in breach of foot-and-mouth regulations.

The Ministry of Agriculture and RSPCA are still investigating the shooting.

Government regulations say rifles should only be used as a last resort for animal slaughter, and then only in an enclosed space.

Irene Smith, 60, and her husband Leslie, 65, videoed the marksman firing at the herd of roaming sheep and then chasing injured animals to shoot them dead.

The slaughterman is found to have been acting on the authority and decision of the council

Monmouthshire County Council

They said the incident had left their community "shell-shocked".

The council has apologised for the distress caused.

Its report, released on Friday, concluded that it was right to kill the sheep but the decision "for them to be killed immediately and in view of the public was flawed".

A more suitable place for the slaughter should have been found, it said.

A council spokeswoman said: "The report concludes that the officers who authorised the shooting were acting in accord with the council's policy for dealing with persistently straying animals in a foot-and-mouth controlled area but that errors of judgement were made.

I would like to apologise to everyone who was distressed by this incident

Colin White Council leader

"The slaughterman is found to have been acting on the authority and decision of the council."

Council leader Colin White said he would ensure lessons were learnt.

"While we are pleased that the decision for the sheep to be killed has been vindicated we also acknowledge that mistakes were made.

"All killing of animals no matter how necessary is distressing and should not have been attempted in the manner it was.

"I would like to apologise to everyone who was distressed by this incident.

A copy of the report is being sent to the Welsh Assembly.