RUSTLERS have stolen 41 sheep from a farmer in Catterick Village, in a seemingly planned operation.
Thieves stole the animals from Martin Buckton, of Brough Meadows, between Saturday, November 8, and Tuesday, November 11, after building a pen in the field.
The pen and several hurdles were used to herd the sheep into a vehicle, which may have returned to load animals more than once.
The thieves made off with 40 young breeding sheep worth £100 each, and a ram valued at £300.
Mr Buckton has put up a sign, which can be seen on the interchange between the village and the A1 North, asking for information about the theft
He said: "It was terrible to lose so many animals all in one go like that. I can't replace them and through losing them I have lost a lot of money. It must have taken the thieves a while to steal the whole lot, so I'm just hoping that someone will remember seeing something suspicious."
There is a reward offered for information leading to conviction.
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