Police seek to reunite 400 stolen farm animals with owners

North Yorkshire Police is seeking to trace the owners of hundreds of suspected stolen farm animals.

More than 400 farm animals, including dogs, sheep, goats, rabbits, turkeys, ducks and chickens, were seized from a man on land in the Thirsk area on Friday (12 October).

Officers from the police force’s rural taskforce arrested a 42-year-old man from the Ripon area on suspicion of the theft of animals, money laundering and breaching an order disqualifying him from keeping animals. He has been released on bail pending further police enquiries.

See also: 9 tips to combat farm theft during darker nights

About 30 live turkeys were found in a pickup truck at the scene, and a large number of other animals were located.

These included about 90 sheep and goats of different breeds, 80 ducks of different breeds, 180 chickens, nine rabbits and 10 pigeons.

We're working to reunite more than 400 suspected stolen animals with their rightful owners, as part of an ongoing @NYPRuralTF investigation: https://t.co/3euprKatAa @RSPCA_official Please RT to help us spread the word. pic.twitter.com/SORVYOKBnE

— North Yorkshire Police (@NYorksPolice) October 15, 2018

Officers are trying to trace the owners of 11 Swaledale tup lambs, and want to speak to anyone who lost or sold 30 turkeys on or around Friday 12 October.

Many of the sheep and goats have distinguishing identification marks or tag numbers, and enquiries are already under way. In addition, the owner of about 40 chickens has been identified.

Two border collie dogs which had previously been reported stolen from Lancashire were also recovered, and will be reunited with their rightful owners.

A vet attended to check the welfare of the animals; one goat and two turkeys had to be put down. All the other animals have been taken to secure locations where they will be cared for while the investigation continues.

Police appeal

Sgt Kevin Kelly, investigating, said: “We really need the public to pull together with this one, and help us get the word out there, as we suspect that not all of the animals will be stolen from the North Yorkshire area.

“The sheer volume of animals makes this a complex investigation. Our priority has been to ensure that the animals are safe and well. We are working closely with the RSPCA as our enquiries continue, as we look to restore any stolen property to its rightful owners as quickly as possible.

“We are now speaking to the NFU and the farming community to help us establish the ownership of these animals. Thankfully, the owners of the two collie dogs are ‘over the moon’ to be reunited with their beloved dogs.”

Anyone with any information that could assist the investigation is asked to email ruraltaskforce@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk quoting reference number 12180191078.

New team to tackle rural crime In Leeds area

© West Yorkshire Police

A new dedicated policing team has been launched in Leeds to tackle wildlife and rural crime.

The Leeds District Wildlife and Rural Crime Team will work to address rural crime, including poaching, burglary and theft of farm machinery.

The team will target organised offenders, take the lead on investigations of wildlife crimes and provide crime prevention advice to prevent and deter offences.

Officers will work closely with key agencies including the RSPCA, the NFU and neighbouring police forces.

They will also be expanding and developing the Farm Watch and Horse Watch initiatives, which are free schemes that provide a network to share information and intelligence to warn residents and businesses when rural crimes or suspicious incidents occur.