Two men aged 23 and 16 are to appear in the Hastings District Court today following what police call the disgusting treatment of 14 sheep.
Sergeant Eden Sewell says police stopped a car in the suburb of Flaxmere, after a short pursuit about 3am on Monday.
He says they found 14 sheep bound with ropes and crammed into the boot and back seat of the car.
Mr Sewell says the animals which had been stolen from local farms were in a very distressed condition. Two have since died.
He says police would like to hear from farmers who have had stock stolen.
