Dannevirke: Callous thieves steal 7-year-old's pet sheep

Rustlers have stolen a little boys pet sheep in Dannevire. Photo is FILE pic.

Thieves who stole Lucky the pet sheep from Fraser-Collins Crescent in Dannevirke have left a young boy heartbroken.

Last Thursday night a 3-year-old sheep, hand-reared by 7-year-old Anton Jackson, was stolen from the property.

"We've had those sheep for years and they're fed by Anton and his brother every day," grandmother Cheryl Jackson said.

"Anton is devastated. He gets so much out of those animals and he prays for them every night. They're a big part of his life."

Mrs Jackson said her daughter checks the sheep every night and morning, but last Friday morning Lucky was gone.

"Lucky has been to pet parades and we were quite happy to just let her live on, but now he's probably culled," she said.

"Someone may have seen or heard something and I bet there are people out there who know they're eating pinched meat."

With his collar Lucky was likely to have been easy to catch, Mrs Jackson said.

The rest of the Jackson's tiny flock have now been moved.

-If you have information about any stolen meat, contact the Dannevirke police on 06 374-4500 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.