Stolen Horse Nightmare

neighbours. Hopefully youre in a Rural Crime Watch area and all strangers are monitored. Ask if they observed any strangers around the area. If anyone stopped to ask directions to use the phone or any other unusual behavior.
Follow the above steps and taking everything into consideration make a decision if your horse has been stolen. If you believe your horse is stolen report it to the police and brand inspectors. The police are responsible for the criminal investigation and the brand inspectors for detection during their inspections. The brand inspectors will advise all other inspectors in their fanout system
If your horse was branded the chances of recovery are good. Weve experienced several times now where once the thief realized the horse was branded they dropped it off on the side of the road and left it. Depending on what was located at the scene with respect to physical evidence unless there is a possibility of it being damaged. In some cases tracks in the snow might have to be protected from sun and other damage until the photographs can be taken.
The police will require a statement in which a description of the horse is required. The police will want to know who has been around your property and horses. Not only livestock but in other property thefts the thief usually has some connection with the crime scene. I hate to say it but I have seen experienced farriers prospective buyers and associates be responsible for thefts. When talking horse theft theres a good chance thief has some knowledge of the horse prior to the theft. People living along a well traveled road or highway are sometimes the exception.
Again I cannot emphasize the assistance that a brand will be for investigational purposes. If photographs are available supply copies to the police
and brand inspectors. If the horse is branded it will be detected when sold at public auction feedlot packing plant exported out of province or checked on the highway. I would also suggest preparing a poster and forwarding it to auction markets tack stores and other horse related businesses. We would advertise the stolen horse in magazines and the internet. A brand will assist in people remembering your horse.
All thefts are unique and have to be handled that way but I hope this will provide some guidance if your horse goes missing.