Ritual abuse of sheep on Dartmoor?

BBC NEWS | England | Devon | Dead sheep found in 'occult star'

Seven sheep had their necks broken and were arranged in a seven-pointed star on Sampford Spinney, Dartmoor. The story describes the star arrangement as being significant in occult ceremonies. Although it may be indicative of some sort of sacrificial ritual activity, it may also be someone messing about. Is there any other evidence to show that a ritual was being perfomed? And if there was, to describe it as 'occult' doesn't mean much. Are there any known rituals which specifically call for this specific activity? To say 'occult' is about as meaningless as saying 'religion'. Furthermore, there are lots of people involved in the 'occult' who would be sickened by this abuse of animals; actually, I think most 'occultists' would be.