Suspicious photo takers-white van etc - for real!!!

[vennessa]

I have been out and about this weekend. I met up with a dodgy horsey person i know - it helps to know dodgy people

Anyway they brought up this white van thing.
They told me it is for real. Photo's are taken of the horses and sold on the internet. All the horses when sold are shipped abroad.
I will be passing this information on. It has happened and is happening!!
This is not a scare or rumour - i have not taken it too seriously until now.
Passports mean nothing, they are so easily done. We have a horse with two passports!
Please be vigilant.

 

[Maizy]

So what kind of horses are they stealing? For meat or competition? Is there any particular 'type' they are after?

 

[vennessa]

I din't ask details, didn't think. They are not for meat just general as we would advertise. All horses/ponies. As these people do not know anything about the horses - unless watched as in being at shows thay will be makeing it up.

 

[nijinsky]

One question (not to anybody in particular), I am worried for my horses safety of course, I'm being extra vigilant & telling everyone I know but really - all these sightings & not one confrontation? No-one's caught up with these people?

They have to be doing this in broad daylight - picture quality at night time would be too poor, I just find it strange that the horse community the length of the country is on to them and still they're able to do it?

I don't mean this to sound uncaring - does anyone else find it a bit odd?

 

[Maizy]

Yes I agree, If I saw anyone I would be calling the police and following them for as long as it is safe to do so.

 

[k9h]

But up untill they actually take the horse they are doing nothig wrong & therefore the police & us can not do anything about it. Which is disgustingly wrong IMHO.

 

[nijinsky]

Mmm - if a car/van stopped at MY premises & was taking pictures of MY horses & I was there to see it - sorry but I would have something to say about it and I'd say they wouldn't be leaving with their camera!!

 

[k9h]

Yes I would take pics of them & wait for them to leave but there is nothing else you can do.
If they are brave enough to be doing this in broad daylight then what else would they be happy to do??
I would not be challenging them for their camera thats for sure. I would ask them what they are doing?
I aint small either & can deffinetly handle myself but 2 men against me I would give as good as I get but even I doubt that I would come away better off than them.

 

[nijinsky]

I know it's easy to say what I'd do because it hasn't happened but I will strongly defend/protect what's mine. I wouldn't be waiting for police to do anything because by that time it's too late. Of course I'd be right behind hubby & dogs

 

[jules59]

I absolutely agree 100%! When it comes to my horses I dread to think what lengths I would go to! BUT, I also agree - why has nobody at all in the country followed these men? We once caught gypsies stealing caravans, ours was the next to go - but we didnt confront them (as you dont really know what extremes they will go to) - we laid in wait and followed them down the motorway, (very discretely) after ringing the police - once police caught up with them - we made a quick exit! But do you know whats really annoying - they were caught "red handed" nicking these caravans by towing them on the back of their cars and the police still wanted me to go to court as a witness as they still didnt have enough evidence! What????????? Double barrelled shotgun! - Thats the answer!

 

[mattilda]

I have been warned about these people also and was told they have been reported to the police.

 

[CrazyMare]

Keep a camera or a camera phone on you, and take photos of people or veichles behaving strangely or entering yards that you do not recognise.

I have a footpath through my field and make a point of talking to people I see on it.