Struggling Shepherdess Tackles Nine Missing Sheep and Suspected Slaughtering
Shepherdess Sigrid Korth is plagued by sleepless nights surrounded by the mystery of missing sheep. After installing a hidden wildlife camera, she caught suspected thieves red-handed.
Korth has owned Drenthe Heideschafe sheep since 2005, maintaining the landscape and training her Border Collies. Love and dedication go into caring for these creatures, and their disappearance is heartbreaking: "It's a constant concern, knowing another animal is gone."
Pregnant sheep and lambs became part of the flock, exacerbating Korth's emotional turmoil. The thieves seemed to strike during Ramadan, and blood, carcasses, and offal were discovered nearby after each incident, leading Korth to suspect slaughtering.
Korth: "Seeing such behavior leaves me speechless." There is a gnawing suspicion among the community. Sigrid Korth suspects indulging in religious motives: "My sheep were taken away near Islamic festivals." Slaughtering is illegal in Germany.
The camera footage documents two men scoping the area, with a discovery the following morning: another sheep was missing. Korth's evidence was passed to the criminal investigation department and shared on Facebook, hoping for clues.
Finally, Korth longs for a change: "City officials aren't willing to invest in a new fence. I am already in search of a new pasture to protect the sheep."
Additional Insights:
Despite the ongoing investigation, the Gevelbergs region police haven't yet provided a definitive religious motive behind the sheep thefts. However, understanding the potential warnings signs, security measures, and community involvement can help protect flocks throughout Germany.
