CLARK CO. CALF THIEF
Thursday, October 18th, 2007 -- 12:00 PM
Clark County authorities want farmers to be on the lookout for a calf thief.Deputy Marty Schwantes has been tracking the rash of calf thefts in the northeastern corner of the county.
"We've had three more taken in the last week and a half," Schwantes relays.
This appears to be a continuation of a rash of thefts in the late spring and early summer in northeastern Clark County and Marathon County.
"They're parking down the road. They're taking the smaller calves?anywhere from four days old to a month old," Schwantes explains. "The problem is we don't know what type of vehicle. Some of the calves are small enough, they could have just been put in a car."
Schwantes has been on the force for over a decade and he can't remember as many cattle thefts as they've investigated in the past year.
He wants farmers to make sure their calves are held in a visible, well-lit area. If anyone sees suspicious vehicles parked near farms, call authorities.
"They're less likely to target people who have the calves where they can easily see the calf hutches from their house."
And because they're young, most of the animals don't have any traceable markings.
Schwantes estimates the calf thefts have resulted in nearly $20,000 to County farmers. If you have any information, contact the Clark County Sheriff's Department.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.