Report stolen livestock soon, but remember that snakes could have eaten them
Cases are opened by livestock owners who are unaware that a snake is the culprit
Livestock owners are advised to report missing or stolen animals to their nearest police station as soon as possible.
Please take note that there is no waiting period to report missing or stolen livestock. However, police say that in most cases, complainants don’t come forward early to open cases. They sometimes take days, weeks or even months. By the time police start their investigation, it is too late to recover the missing or stolen stock.
Be advised that no complainant should be turned away by police to go back and look for missing livestock or come back at a later date to open the case.
Captain Nyathi (Ladysmith SAPS Communications, Liaison & Marketing) says it is sometimes the case that animals like goats are eaten by snakes. Cases are opened by stock owners who are unaware that a snake is the culprit.
Most stock owners don’t watch their stock on an hourly basis. They just let them roam free on grazing land and collect them late in the afternoon; sometimes the livestock come back to the kraals on their own. “That’s why we are experiencing the high number of cases where stock has gone missing,” says Capt Nyathi.
Police say that if people hired herdsmen to look after their stock all the time, this problem could be sorted out. Hire herdsmen who are known and reliable, not just any person, because they may be a criminal. Make it your business to take photos of them, see their ID document, know their address and their relatives.
Avoid employing people from other provinces or countries without proper screening. Police can be contacted to verify if that person is a wanted criminal or not, as well as his / her documentation.
Also read: Watch: Snake expert removes African Rock Python from police van near Ladysmith
Also read: Watch Video: Mommy, there’s a snake on the stoep – 5.29-metre Python found near Ladysmith
In addition, stock owners are urged to brand their stock as required. If animals do not have brand marks, it is easy for thieves to steal and brand them themselves.
Lastly, stock owners are requested to visit cattle sale yards regularly in order to check if their stolen stock are being sold there.
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