An on-line map to track suspected stock theft has been applauded by a West Coast farmer who lives in an affected area.
Stop Stock Theft, is the country's first on-line map designed to report and track suspected stock theft, in a joint initiative between Crimestoppers, NZX-Agri and the police.
Federated
Farmers rural security spokeswoman Katie Milne, who farms at Rotomanu, said the wider Inchbonnie area through to Stillwater had seen a number of animals shot illegally, in some cases close to where families were sleeping.
In 2011, hundreds of stock reportedly went missing from Lake Brunner station, which became the subject of an animal welfare investigation.
"While shoplifting costs New Zealand some $730 million each year, stock theft is reportedly costing the country a further $120 million," Miss Milne said.