Officers are appealing for the public’s help after seven sheep have gone missing from a field near Loders, Bridport.
Overnight on 21st-22nd May 7 lambs and a HOTLINE Electric Fencer Unit and Battery, were stolen from a field near Loders. It is unknown if thieves were disturbed and planned to take more. 10 were originally thought stolen but 3 were located nearby.
Despite extensive searches and assistance from the farming community, the owners have not located the seven lambs. The lambs were born this year in March and are either Dorset Crosses or Texel Crosses.
Police Constable Claire Dinsdale, of Dorset Police’s Rural Crime Team, said
“We take the theft of livestock very seriously. It has a substantial impact on farmers and causes them constant worry that they will be targeted again. The farmer spent the night watching over the rest of the flock in fear the thieves would be back.
The animals themselves can be transported and kept in very poor conditions with no regard for their welfare. These animals can then enter the food chain without any regards for the strict controls that protect the public from contaminated meat.
“This sort of crime therefore has wider safety implications to us all. I would ask anyone with any information about livestock theft or the illegal meat trade to contact Dorset Police”
We would ask the public to call us immediately if any suspicious activity is seen, especially at night. Thieves can use 4×4 and trailers or even larger lorries and vans to take sheep. Take the registration and call us. We can easily discount genuine farmers or hauliers.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number . 55180077683. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
