Part of the Northern Ireland-wide Cow Parade – a large public art event – school children across the borough decorated the cows in a mosaic style before they went on display.
Vandals stripped tiles from a cow in Lillian Bland Community Park, Glengormley, while one of three cows in Sixmilewater Park, Ballyclare, was also targeted.
Councillor John Blair said: “This is a despicable act of vandalism. The whole community is shocked that art created by children could be treated in this way.
“Being one of the people involved in bringing the Cow Parade to Newtownabbey, it was great to see local children embracing the idea and taking time and care to put their own creative stamp on the project. It is completely unacceptable that their hard work has been treated with such contempt.
“The culprits behind these shocking acts of vandalism must be taken off the streets. There is no place for them in our society and I would urge anyone with information to contact the Police as soon as possible.”