Stealing livestock alerts farmers in Germany: Organised gangs targeting farms

A farmer from Raddusch, in the Oberspreewald-Lausz district, reported on Friday morning that 48 cattle heads had been stolen from the pasture. The damage caused is estimated at around 75 thousand euros.

Just 14 days earlier, unknown persons had stolen 74 head of livestock near Herzeberg, in the Elbe-Elster district of Brandenburg. Truck tracks found at the scene, reports euronews, broadcast Periscope

Meanwhile, in April, in Falkenberg we also lost 69 calves from a farm in Elbe-Elster. According to the investigation, the authors had used a remote entrance route to introduce a large truck onto the farm, possibly a 40-ton artocular truck. They had entered the stable door and had deliberately selected female calves between three and six months, carrying 69 animals in the truck.

Police Suspect Organised Crime Groups

The theft of livestock in Germany, including sheep, cattle, churches, and even bees, is becoming a major problem.

According to current data, especially in East Germany are increasing cases where large herds of livestock are being targeted by organised criminal groups. Brandenburg is currently considered one of the most problematic areas.

Investigators believe the authors act professionally and usually strike at night. To hide the origin of animals, they remove identifying labels from their ears or replace them with counterfeit identifications.

In some cases, there are doubts that it is also used to keep the animals calm during transport.

“Farming” is burdening farmers

Increasing crime in rural areas is increasingly being summed up by the term “farm creme” (Crime to farms). Besides stealing livestock, expensive agricultural machinery and tractor GPS systems are being targeted by thieves.

While some German Laxonia of the Low and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are reporting increased cases, other regions such as Schleswig-Holstein have scored a slight decline, though the level remains high.

Farmers Take Additional Security Measures

Many farms are already reacting by increasing security measures. These include placing surveillance cameras, better stela lighting, and creating digital warning networks among farmers, for example through regional groups in Whatsapp.

The goal is to separate suspicious observations more quickly and to prevent theft on time.

Because cattle in Germany are centrally registered, police suspect that many of the stolen animals are sent to Eastern European countries or outside the European Union. They are suspected to be smuggled into closed trucks, which are not licensed for animal transport.

According to the German federal government, there is currently no formal statistics for all cases of animal theft on farms. The reason is that, legally, animals are considered “by”, so these cases are recorded in criminal statistics like theft of objects.