Poachers and stock rustlers are being warned by Federated
Farmers to find a different line of work.
Late last year, two people were convicted of rustling 160
sheep, and Federated Farmers' spokesman Hamish Cave said it
was possible that was just the tip of the iceberg.
"This ring was busted because farmers saw suspicious
activity, took down details and called the police."
Farmers and the public should not be afraid to take note of
activity which seemed out of the ordinary, he said.
Police took stock rustling seriously, Mr Cave said.
In November last year, Rick Powdrell, Federated Farmers Meat
& Fibre chairman, caught someone attempting to steal
stock from his property.
"I was working late on the farm and spotted someone jumping
the fence.
"When that person saw me they pulled up a hoodie and skulked
away. When I got closer, I found one of my ewes had been tied
up."
Mr Powdrell said farmers needed to keep an eye out for things
that "don't look right".
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.