Sheep farmer ‘devastated’ after stock worth £20,000 stolen
© FLPA/Rex Shutterstock A farmer was left devastated and in total shock after thieves stole more than 250 sheep and lambs worth about £20,000.
Sheep farmer Robert Thorburn made the shock discovery when he went to check his flock at Parks Farm, Beattock, near Moffat, Dumfriesshire.
“I came to check the sheep as I usually do in the mornings and I discovered that I had a lot of sheep missing but I thought they were just in the surrounding woodlands,” Mr Thorburn told ITV News.
See also: Thieves steal 300 sheep and 120 cattle in one night
“I thought I’d give it a while before I reported it and checked around but they just never came back or reappeared.
“I just could not believe such numbers could go missing and after counting them and finding out exactly what was missing it was shocking”
Robert Thorburn, sheep farmer
“The surrounding dairies like Annandale Estates have lost sheep in the past but you just never think it’s going to happen to yourself. Then when it does happen it’s gut wrenching really.
“I just could not believe such numbers could go missing and after counting them and finding out exactly what was missing it was shocking.”
Police Scotland said the theft of the ewes and lambs took place sometime between 24 July and 1 August.
The sheep were Texel crosses with white faces and they were taken from two fields.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Lockerbie police by dialling 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.