By Victoria Stone-Meadows
A Cranbourne South family has been left devastated after two tiny lambs were allegedly stolen from a property they were being kept on in Devon Meadows.
The lambs’ owner Jane Turney doesn’t think the lambs’ disappearance is the work of an animal predator.
“They were being agisted on the property in Devon Meadows and a neighbour of that property said they saw a man lurking around the paddock on the road,” Ms Turney said.
“It’s a very quiet road, and she had seen a man lurking for quite some time and even tried to get his attention, so we really feel they have been stolen.
“We are hobby farmers but not stupid; we know foxes and other predators can take lambs but it’s not our gut feeling.”
Ms Turney took to Facebook on Wednesday 31 May to ask the community to keep an eye out for the newborn lambs.
She said she was been overwhelmed with the support from the community and will be reporting the missing lambs to the police in the hopes the lambs are found safe.
The lambs were born on Tuesday 30 May and need the care of their mother and her milk if they stand a chance of surviving.
“We just want them back to their mum; she is really distressed,” Ms Turney said.
“The first 24 hours is the most important; they need the colostrum their mum produces that gives them essential antibodies … without it they will die and that’s my primary concern.”
Ms Turney was worried someone had taken the lambs as a prank or to keep as pets but said hand-raising baby animals was not a trivial matter.
“If someone has taken them for a bit of fun, they will perish in this weather, they need to be kept warm and they need the care and nourishment from their mother.
“The lambs won’t make it without mum, hand-raising any animal not a game. It’s very serious and if someone has taken for bit of fun really need to rethink.”
The Turney family’s three children, aged 11, nine, and seven, are also missing having the chance to get to know the lambs.
“The kids love hanging out with the sheep and the lambs are part of whole process,” Ms Turney said.
“It’s a real family commitment caring for the animals and for the kids to understand life cycle and what it takes to care for and love the sheep.”
The lambs are of the dorper breed of sheep. One is larger and has distinct black and white markings while the other is smaller and plain white.
Ms Turney has asked anyone with information about the missing lambs to contact her via email on janeturney9@gmail.com
