A Caithness farmer has been left “devastated” after a flock of valuable pedigree sheep were stolen.
The 11 Suffolk sheep, belonging to 23-year-old Angus Brims, were removed from land at Thuster Mains at Bilbster, near Wick, sometime overnight from Tuesday into Wednesday.
The thieves appear to have gone through his pedigree flock and selected the best sheep, worth several thousand pounds – including one which was to be shown at the Caithness County Show later this month.
Mr Brims’ father John said it was especially disappointing as the thieves were “obviously part of our industry”.
Police are now investigating the theft and have appealed to anyone who thinks they may have seen something to come forward.
The father and son discovered that the sheep had been moved from their field near the Bilbster school house on Wednesday morning and on following the farm track they found an area which showed signs of disturbance.
Twelve of the sheep were found nearby but 11 could not be found.
Mr Brims sen believes that the thieves “hand-picked” the best of the flock as their targets, most likely for breeding.
He said: “It certainly wasn’t done randomly, these are not amateurs we’re dealing with.
“I’m sad to say it but they are part of our industry, of farming and that’s the saddest part of it all for me.”
The pedigree sheep is a new venture at the farm, with Mr Brims jun having built up the flock over the past five years.
His father said: “He’s devastated, he’s been working very hard and all that work has been undone in just one night.”
The farm has offered a cash reward for any information which leads to the return of their sheep – but Mr Brims said he does not expect them to be returned.
He said: “We’re not naive. Probably the best thing we can do is raise awareness and try and make sure it doesn’t happen to anyone else.”
A police spokeswoman said: “As part of ongoing inquiries, police would appeal to anyone with information on the incident or who saw or heard anything suspicious in the area to make contact via 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
“Inquiries are ongoing with National Farmers’ Union aware of the case and an alert being issued via the national Farm Watch scheme.”
