Dear Editor:
We have operated a purebred sheep flock near Rockwood for 40 years and have sold breeding stock from Manitoba to PEI to other sheep farms.
We have a quality flock widely tested and the Ontario Veterinary College has done teaching and research at our farm as well as providing veterinary services.
Just over a week ago we had a theft of 17 ewe lambs averaging around 75 to 80 pounds that were sold for $325 each, a total of over $5,000 and were due for delivery in a month or so. The police were notified.
We believe they quietly drove past the house and around to the barnyard in the middle of the night. These lambs would require at least three or four strong men to load them into a truck and it appears they have cased our property and were very efficient as this was not an easy task. Unfortunately our cameras failed to record any activity.
We also assume that instead of going to a flock owned by a young couple that were looking forward to their purchase, the lambs were likely slaughtered for meat the next morning. It was a difficult phone call to explain to our customers that we no longer had lambs we promised them for their breeding program.
Our family feels violated and deeply concerned. It is not simply the money, it is stealing years of much effort, time and expense as we try and improve the sheep industry in Ontario.
As we believe this is a well-organized group I would like this to be a warning to all farmers with livestock and other valuables on their property, especially sheep and goats. We have no doubt similar robberies are likely to happen again.
Glen Duff,
Rockwood