Thieves: Sheep are in 'protective custody'

TRENT HILLS, Ontario, April 30 (UPI) -- The culprits behind the theft of 31 sheep slated to be culled in Canada due to suspected illness said the animals are in "protective custody."

The sheep, belonging to Montana Jones of Wholearth Farmstudio in Trent Hills, Ontario, were quarantined by Canadian Food Inspection Agency officials in January 2010 after a sheep sold to another ranch in 2007 was found to have died of the neurological disease scrapie, the Globe and Mail reported Monday.

Jones attempted to fight in court to have the quarantine lifted and prevent officials from having the animals culled, but the agency announced plans April 2 to have the 31 remaining sheep in the flock destroyed.

However, the sheep disappeared from the ranch earlier this month, with a group calling itself the Farmers' Peace Corps taking responsibility in a note.

"We have taken the animals into protective custody until an alternative to killing has been found, or conclusive independent proof or clear evidence of disease has been proven. This has been done without the knowledge or participation of the owner," the note read.

Police said they are searching for the thieves and the flock.