The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: reedos on August 24, 2013, 12:59:54 pm

Title: Stolen Livestock
Post by: reedos on August 24, 2013, 12:59:54 pm
Not really sure where to put this because whilst it's goats that have gone today it could just as easily be pigs or chickens tomorrow.
 
A word of warning for all of you in Lincs, East Yorks, South Yorks - anywhere really.
 
Last night we had 1 x British Alpine Nanny & her two castrated male Boer kids and 1 x Saanen x Golden Guernsey and her female Boer cross kid stolen from our land sometime between 21-00 and 08-00.
 
The thieves obviously knew what they were doing, the nannies are penned with the herd overnight and the kids in a seperate paddock. The rest of the herd was left.
 
Be careful with your stock and if you get offered any goats please let me know.
 
Ta
Andy
 
 
Title: Re: Stolen Livestock
Post by: ballingall on August 24, 2013, 01:57:12 pm
Sorry to hear that Andy. Hope you get some news on them.


Funny that they managed to get the exact offspring of each of the nannies.


Beth
Title: Re: Stolen Livestock
Post by: Backinwellies on August 24, 2013, 02:54:38 pm
 :hug:
Sounds like a theft to order?    And by someone who had a good knowledge of your place .... very scary.   

Hope the message gets out widely  ......

Title: Re: Stolen Livestock
Post by: wytsend on August 24, 2013, 03:17:56 pm
Post the ear tag numbers on here..............they might not realise these can be changed............therefore if the goats are offered for sale outside your area, somebody might recognise them.
Title: Re: Stolen Livestock
Post by: wytsend on August 24, 2013, 03:18:48 pm
Put this on Facebook on 'Goaty Friends'.............there is a huge spread of goat keepers on there.
Title: Re: Stolen Livestock
Post by: Penninehillbilly on August 24, 2013, 04:29:17 pm
Any photos? any unusual markings?
Title: Re: Stolen Livestock
Post by: jaykay on August 24, 2013, 06:55:19 pm
I'm so sorry.

Yes, post it on Facebook, folk have had their animals back after people found them being sold.

The baŁ&€$%$ >:(

I live in the back of beyond, but there were two undesirable looking blokes with a pitbull (not a dog we see round here, land of collies and gundogs) parked up and walking the dog not far away - it's got me really twitchy!

(Poor blokes were probably just out for a country drive.......  :-\)
Title: Re: Stolen Livestock
Post by: Bumblebear on August 24, 2013, 08:56:47 pm
So sorry for you.   :fc: they get tracked brought home.
Title: Re: Stolen Livestock
Post by: sokel on August 24, 2013, 09:00:32 pm
So sorry, Hope you find the scum that took them and the goats are found.
If you have pictures of them it may be worth posting them
Title: Re: Stolen Livestock
Post by: jinglejoys on August 24, 2013, 09:45:05 pm
On a side point if all Pitbulls were ordered to be muzzled and spayed/castrated when the Dangerous Dogs Act came out all those years ago how come people are still walking them (must be at least 20yrs old! ;)  )
Title: Re: Stolen Livestock
Post by: jaykay on August 24, 2013, 10:47:11 pm
Quote
The term pitbull is a generic term used to describe dogs with similar physical characteristics. Usually a "pitbull" is considered one of several breeds including the American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier or any mix thereof. The pitbull is not a distinct breed...Any mixed breed dog may be labelled a "pitbull" if they have the characteristic square shaped head

(http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k70/jaykayg/2a46f38d49faac2fd2cb782f0af6f97e_zps38c1a8d3.jpg)

This is the sort of dog it was - what do you call them?

I have to say the two men walking it didn't look like they'd have too much time for muzzles and castrating dogs.
Title: Re: Stolen Livestock
Post by: funkyfish on August 24, 2013, 11:36:48 pm
I've met many 'staffie crosses' that have blatantly been pitbulls and each one has been lovely! Its the trendy un socialised hand bag dogs that are aggressive!

Post picks and ear tag numbers on face book make them too hot to handle.how awful for you!
Title: Re: Stolen Livestock
Post by: Lesley Silvester on August 24, 2013, 11:43:36 pm
I saw this news on FB and shared it. If we all do this, the word should get round a long way.

Title: Re: Stolen Livestock
Post by: reedos on August 25, 2013, 08:32:50 am
Thanks everybody for your advice, we are resigned to not getting the girls back, the tags have been cut off, we've found the bits left! The kids hadn't been done yet. So the nannies will have holes I guess where the tags were.


Word seems to be getting out through Facebook, our local smallholder club etc so thanks everybody for that. If nothing else it'll raise awareness of theft I guess. The police rang to tell us they think it's unsolvable, they will send somebody sometime to see us.


(http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x22/allotmentsnstuff/Piglet.jpg) (http://s184.photobucket.com/user/allotmentsnstuff/media/Piglet.jpg.html)




(http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x22/allotmentsnstuff/Nikki.jpg) (http://s184.photobucket.com/user/allotmentsnstuff/media/Nikki.jpg.html)
(http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x22/allotmentsnstuff/BellwithJuliusandNero.jpg) (http://s184.photobucket.com/user/allotmentsnstuff/media/BellwithJuliusandNero.jpg.html)


The worst thing for me and Beccy is that we really don't know what to do now. Our land is away from the house and rented. We've got fences, gates, locks, hedges, barbed wire, electric fencing and in the last year we've lost chickens, ducks, a piglet , tools and now the goats. We're at a loss as to what to do next. We just can't do anymore to secure things. We think we're going to have to give the dream up which is absolutely devastating
Title: Re: Stolen Livestock
Post by: jaykay on August 25, 2013, 08:40:12 am
Dear God this is so sad, and wrong. I am so sorry about the goats, and hope that you do, against the odds, get them back.

Re the land - what chance of moving somewhere else where you've got the land with the house?
Title: Re: Stolen Livestock
Post by: Steph Hen on August 25, 2013, 09:00:46 am
What do the police say?

I am so sad and furious reading this!

Feeling very sorry for you.
Title: Re: Stolen Livestock
Post by: Penninehillbilly on August 25, 2013, 03:44:55 pm
I'm so upset for you Andy and Becky, I wish there was something practical I could do,
most of them have distinctive markings so hopefully if those pictures get around someone may recognise something, Good Luck.
Are there houses near the land? could you set up one of these shed alarms and leave your phone number with everyone who lives near? Big dog in a pen? (aggresive billy goat?)
Tried door knocking to see if anyone has been hanging about?
ReallyReally hope they turn up.
Title: Re: Stolen Livestock
Post by: lachlanandmarcus on August 25, 2013, 05:09:46 pm
This sort of theft where you can't leave anything is so corrosive, it destroys communities and the hopes of decent people trying to do good productive things and live a positive life with their animals.


I really really feel for you.


What have the police said given this has been an ongoing saga of thefts?
Title: Re: Stolen Livestock
Post by: jaykay on August 25, 2013, 05:42:52 pm
I think we should all go and camp out on reedos' land, armed with mattocks and gripes (muck forks)!

If these sort of parasitic lice put as much effort into earning an honest living as they do preying off other people's efforts...... >:(
Title: Re: Stolen Livestock
Post by: plumseverywhere on August 25, 2013, 06:27:07 pm
Makes me so angry - leaves livestock owners feeling vulnerable and alone when the police say they cant' do anything. We had similar when one of our sheep was savaged by 'pet' dogs. Police said "we don't deal with dog attacks on livestock" so I tweeted their comments and was given a number to call ASAP to 'resolve any issues' - give it a go, Reedo - you can't be left without official support in this situation, its not on. 
Title: Re: Stolen Livestock
Post by: fifixx on August 25, 2013, 06:51:13 pm
Poor you, I would be devasted if mine were stolen - we are on alert this week as it is the Dorset Steam Fair, so all gates etc locked.

I moved the billy and the kids to a more hidden field yesterday - but have spent the day retrieving him from his excursion into see the girlies (so no doubt some kids now in Jan!) as he was just too near and went over 3 fences to get to them....


Title: Re: Stolen Livestock
Post by: reedos on August 25, 2013, 08:12:38 pm
The Police called around again today, basically said there was nothing they could do, as they had nothing to go on. They intimated that there has been more "traveller" activity in the area, but that relations with the travellers have been strained so they wouldn't even get spoken to by them without a warrant.


I hate stereotyping and have always given them the benefit of the doubt, but when some of my chickens were found in their camp last year and the goats go missing when they are around again it's difficult not to.


Today I'm just sad but planning the way ahead. Our other goats are with a good friend for as long as they need to be and the pigs are due to go to the abattoir next week anyway. We will probably be winding up this bit of land, but we are now actively looking for somewhere more secure near to Barton Upon Humber to rent. They might win this round but they won't make us give it up completely.


So if anybody knows anybody with some land near to us that they would rent we'b be immensely grateful if you could let us know.


Thanks for all your support (and I quite like the mattocks and muck forks idea!)

Title: Re: Stolen Livestock
Post by: Lesley Silvester on August 25, 2013, 10:06:40 pm
I'm glad you aren't giving up your dream, although I can understand you thinking you might have to. Hope you find somewhere suitable soon.  :hug:
Title: Re: Stolen Livestock
Post by: lachlanandmarcus on August 26, 2013, 08:11:11 am
The Police called around again today, basically said there was nothing they could do, as they had nothing to go on. They intimated that there has been more "traveller" activity in the area, but that relations with the travellers have been strained so they wouldn't even get spoken to by them without a warrant.


I hate stereotyping and have always given them the benefit of the doubt, but when some of my chickens were found in their camp last year and the goats go missing when they are around again it's difficult not to.


Today I'm just sad but planning the way ahead. Our other goats are with a good friend for as long as they need to be and the pigs are due to go to the abattoir next week anyway. We will probably be winding up this bit of land, but we are now actively looking for somewhere more secure near to Barton Upon Humber to rent. They might win this round but they won't make us give it up completely.


So if anybody knows anybody with some land near to us that they would rent we'b be immensely grateful if you could let us know.


Thanks for all your support (and I quite like the mattocks and muck forks idea!)


It makes me angry that the police regard any part of the community as immune from even being spoken to without a warrant. (at our old place they wouldn't go on the site without armed backup and helicopters).


In practice that just meant that crimes were carried out even more as the perpetrators knew they had at least an hour to dispose of any evidence and make their getaway, even when you had seen them nicking the stuff and going into the site :-(((( they wouldn't allow it with a council estate so why is anyone/anywhere seen as legitimately off limits to the police of this country?


It gives the police a quiet life as without a warrant they won't make enquiries but there will never be evidene enough for a magistrate to grant a warrant unless they make enquiries. GRrrrrrrrrrrrr...
Title: Re: Stolen Livestock
Post by: zoe_emma on August 26, 2013, 08:43:10 am
Are you humberside area?
We recently moved away from hull. I'm so sorry about what happened, unfortunately I am not surprised about the attitude of the police.
When I lived there I had lots of issues with my ex husband. Eventually they went to arrest him, but he didn't answer the door when they knocked so they just left and never bothered to go back.
Title: Re: Stolen Livestock
Post by: jaykay on August 26, 2013, 09:39:51 am
The ordinary police don't go onto certain traveller sites without armed guards because they would be beaten and bricked to death.

I'm sure there ar lazy useless police officers, as there are lazy and useless other folk. Police officers not doing their basic job need complaining about. But they all belong to families and need to go home safely to them.

What this country does need to do, is be prepared to insist that all sections of the community live within the law. And if they don't, to take the necessary (armed if needed) action.

But we've gone so far down the 'tolerance of other communities' line that  we're not  prepared to stand up for ourselves, ourselves being those of all stripes, who live law-abiding lives. '
Title: Re: Stolen Livestock
Post by: plumseverywhere on August 26, 2013, 09:45:52 am
Makes me livid. Its these low lifes that give the rest of the community a bad name - its these low lifes that I blame for my kids being bullied and called pikey.  I wish something would be done, I really do - same problems here, when a friends sheep were attacked by local traveller dogs the police refused to go onto the site for the reasons Jaykay mentions and nothing was done so the dogs lived to go and kill local goats...
The traveller liaison teams need to be more active. Locally, I speak with the travellers and liaise but its only my heritage that gives me the immunity to go onto that site! I wouldn't let my husband go on there in a million years on his own.
Too right Jaykay, we need to get rid of any lawless sub-cultures, it has got to stop for the benefit of all.
Title: Re: Stolen Livestock
Post by: lachlanandmarcus on August 26, 2013, 02:08:57 pm
The ordinary police don't go onto certain traveller sites without armed guards because they would be beaten and bricked to death.

I'm sure there ar lazy useless police officers, as there are lazy and useless other folk. Police officers not doing their basic job need complaining about. But they all belong to families and need to go home safely to them.

What this country does need to do, is be prepared to insist that all sections of the community live within the law. And if they don't, to take the necessary (armed if needed) action.

But we've gone so far down the 'tolerance of other communities' line that  we're not  prepared to stand up for ourselves, ourselves being those of all stripes, who live law-abiding lives. '


I agree.


If that's the situation then the armed guards should be available at much more local locations so they can be deployed pretty much straight away, rather than hours later which has been my experience, otherwise we are just pretending that they aren't needed on a more routine basis.


As it is the criminals know exactly how long it takes to get them out there and the costs involved meaning they are reluctant to do it for 'petty ' crimes and that directly leads to a huge amount of crime. And then the even more riling aspect that because the crimes are perpetrated by certain individuals or groups, but the police won't pursue, then like a lot of fly tipping where transit block the lane at either end, the crimes aren't counted when the local community tries to convey the sheer amount of crime going on, as it's not logged against that location/individuals. Makes me mad!
Title: Re: Stolen Livestock
Post by: Roxy on August 29, 2013, 01:38:16 pm
So very, very sorry this has happened.  I know I would be devasted if my livestock were taken.
 
Its just a year since my buildings were broken into and carriage, saddles and other things taken.  The Police just said they had nothing to go on, and did not bother coming out.....although they did say they had a good idea who was involved, but could not go there.
 
Our land is away from any houses, but can be seen from the road.  We get a lot of "interest" from passing traffic, who see our herd of goats out on the hill side, and they often slow down to look - which does worry me.  Are they just admiring the goats, or casing them for taking.  Most of they are as daft as brushes, and would readily walk off with a stranger!!  Same with the ponies, who in quite a large herd, sort of stand out - especially being mostly ride and drive, and of interest to certain people.
 
We are getting "cold callers" for want of a better phrase.  Coming out of Manchester, wanting to buy goats for eating.  I am not suggesting they would help themselves, but you never know.
 
The only good thing is, you would have to walk down two steep fields from the road, take the goats and walk up the big hill again .....yes, its quiet in the night,  but the road is used, so a vehicle may well be spotted by a passer by, who hopefully would call the Police.  I can see the stables and land from my house now we have moved, and most nights, very late on, I scan the hillside for signs of car lights, and torches.  If in any doubt my husband goes to check - 10 minute car ride, but worth it for peace of mind.
Title: Re: Stolen Livestock
Post by: Penninehillbilly on August 29, 2013, 06:19:53 pm
Only yesterday someone (elderly lady) was telling me that her dog was barking, she came out of the house and an indian? man was looking in her stable and sheds, wondering if she had any goats to sell! seems strange but no reason to disbelieve, she does live a little way out but only has a horse and hens + someone elses ponies on her fields. She's only about 40-50 yds from a tarmac road. Maybe time we got anothr dog!
I need to sell some goats before winter, but this is one thing that's stopping me, I don't want strangers about.
Title: Re: Stolen Livestock
Post by: speckledhen on November 03, 2013, 05:42:58 pm
would something like this help?!

http://www.alarmsforfarms.com/wireless-cctv-systems-9-c.asp (http://www.alarmsforfarms.com/wireless-cctv-systems-9-c.asp)