Horses owners warned about thieves

Nov 27 2009 by Johnathon Menzies, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

EQUINE enthusiasts throughout Perthshire have been warned to be on the look-out for thieves attempting to steal their beloved horses.

Tulloch resident Katie Ferrier said her father, David, has moved his four animals from a field outside Kinfauns to another location to ensure their safety.

The Elmwood College student said: “Somebody has to speak-up about this and tell as many people as possible.

“I’ve been told the thieves tie pleat in the horses’ manes and then come back when it’s dark to take them away.

“Apparently, they use the knot as a marker – they check the manes and then steal the ones they can feel the knot in.

“My dad has four horses but, as soon as we heard about this happening in other parts of the country, we had them moved.

“If anything happened to them I’d be devastated,” she said.

Tayside Police chief wildlife crime officer Alan Stewart told the PA that – although there may often be concerns raised within the horse-riding community – the number of reported cases of the animals being stolen in Perthshire is “extremely small.”

He said: “There’s often a fear that this sort of thing may happen but I’m not aware of any horses being stolen recently and – although it has occurred occasionally in the past – it is extremely rare.”