Five cows were shot at a barn in Schuylkill County during the overnight hours of Sunday into Monday, according to state police at the Schuylkill Haven barracks.

Three of the cows died, a fourth one will have to be euthanized and the fifth one is expected to survive.According to state police, the incident happened between 8 p.m. Sunday and 7 a.m. Monday at Hepler's Farm, 121 Helfenstein Road, Pitman, Eldred Township.The owner of the farm, James Hepler, told the Pottsville Republican this is the second time he has been victimized regarding his cows. He said about five years ago, someone stole two cows from the same barn that these five were in.After that incident, it was discovered the two cows were sold in Lancaster County, unfortunately, too late for them to be retrieved.Hepler said the cows were in plain view of passers-by as they were located in a barn that has an open front. He said it appears they were shot with a small-caliber weapon, possibly a .22-caliber rifle.The owner said no shell casings were found at the scene.Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact them at 570-739-1330.