In the week prior to Christmas the owners of a property in Milvale, off Yannawah Lane, were mustering ewes and discovered that they were down 193 ewes.

“The owner made a number of inquiries, canvassed neighbours, checked boundary fences for sign or being loaded onto a vehicle,” State Rural Crime Co-ordinator Detective Inspector Cameron Whiteside said.

READ MORE: 1000 sheep stolen in separate theft near Tullamore

“The value of the stock is reported to be worth almost $40,000,” he said.

“The distinct ear mark would make it difficult for thieves pass the mob off as their own [see sketch below]”.

This theft comes just days after 1000 sheep were stolen from a property near Tullamore, west of Dubbo.

These sheep were two, three, and four-year-old merino cross dohne ewes.

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Det Insp Whiteside has urged anyone with information on either thefts to contact the NSW Police Rural Crime Prevention Team at Cootamundra on 6942 0099 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Meanwhile, victims of rural crime are encouraged to report stock thefts as soon as possible.

Det Insp Whiteside said the report does not have to be made to a Rural Crime Investigator as attending police can take the report so there is no delay.

“To assist in the detailed reporting of livestock theft the Rural Crime Prevention Team has developed a stock theft template that the farmer can complete prior to the attendance of police,” he said.

READ ALSO: Nearly 200 sheep stolen from Young property

“This enables detailed information to be provided in a timely manner and emailed to the police your report the matter to.”

The stock theft template can be found online.