Pregnant Show Goat Is Latest Animal Theft In San Joaquin County
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY (CBS13) — A prized pregnant show goat was the last taken in a rash of animal thefts—28 goats have gone missing so far.
"It's just heartbreaking that she's gone," said Rose McPhee of Lodi.
The 14-year-old said she has tried to stay busy around the ranch to keep her mind off what has happened to her goat.
HotFlash is her prized 4-year-old Boer Goat champion. Thieves cut the fence and took off with her pet and one other goat Sunday night.
"I was just sheer panicking, 'Oh my gosh, where did they go?'" Rose said.
No one knows.
"My stomach just dropped because I knew it was intentional," said Rose's mother Rita McPhee. "The entitlement that someone feels that they can just go and take but we've worked hard for over the years and what we love dearly, just puzzled."
It's just as confusing for detectives who said 28 goats have been reported missing around the county.
"It is rare," said Det. Ezequiel Pena with the San Joaquin County Sheriff Office.
While investigators are looking for answers, the McPhees fear the worst.
"Are they taking her to sell at the sale yard for a quick dollar or are they taking her to maybe slaughter her for dinner?" said Rita.
Rita believes with the goat's DNA and registration tattoos, she'd be hard to sell.
"That person can never register and offspring from her or anything like that because they are not the original owner at her," Rita added.
Meanwhile, Rose is gearing up for a show in Kansas, now without her grand champ.
"I feel sad and just upset that she's gone," Rose said. "She's got me blue ribbons and banners, everything."
To the McPhees, HotFlash is family and can't believe thieves would tear them apart.
"I don't think they know what they've taken from my daughter. It's not just a 4-H project, she's just more than that, she's something that built this girl's confidence," Rita exclaimed. "Just want her back no questions asked."
Anyone with information should contact the sheriff's office.
