Telly I am surprised at this news. Farmers care for their livestock and not just because they are their livelihood.
However, they are worth money, of course, and blood-stained fleeces are perhaps worthless too, although they are in fact worth precious little these days, more's the pity.
What would the farmer think when he saw the bloodied and bruised sheep return?
I would think he would be upset and furious.
I hope PETA brings this few cases to the attention of any authority which needs to know.
26 farms out of about 40,000 is not many but this needs to be brought to the attention of any authority which needs to know. There are EU/Government regulations in place regarding sheep shearing.