Community outraged as hundreds of sheep worth nearly $100,0000 stolen from Great Southern farm

Hundreds of sheep worth approximately $95,000 were stolen from the Great Southern farm; There are similar reports of stock theft from neighboring areas and the Wheatbelt.

A Pingrup farmer recently reported that 272 head of Ultra White pregnant ewes were stolen from his property between December last year and January this year.

Det-Sen. Construction Michael Le Poidevin, from WA Police’s rural crime squad, said the missing sheep were discovered while the farmer was taking a count of his flock.

He estimated a conservative loss of about $95,000 for the missing sheep.

Grand theft was not the only theft; From December to January last year, two thefts were reported in the Katanning area.

One report detailed the loss of approximately 100 Merino sheep, aged one to seven years old, valued at approximately $17,500, while another reported the loss of 74 head of Merino sheep, approximately two years old, valued at approximately $16,000.

Between February and April, 60 Merino sheep worth approximately $15,000 were reportedly stolen from a farm in the Wheatbelt.

Farmers and pastoralists are encouraged to report livestock theft to their local police station or contact Stocktheft@police.wa.gov.au to have their case escalated to the Rural Crime Team.