Stealing animals ordinarily kept in confinement – Criminal Law
4 min readThe homeowners of a a person-legged turkey named Henrietta, who is the
star of their animal sanctuary in Indiana, United States, have been
remaining heartbroken right after their beloved hen was stolen from its
enclosure at the beginning of May well 2021.
Erin’s Farm – a not-for-financial gain animal rescue sanctuary -
serves as a without end property for animals in have to have, and Henrietta was one particular
of the shelter’s most famed citizens.
For a huge section, this is for the reason that Henrietta has a distinctive
disposition, namely that the chicken has a prosthetic leg owing to a
unusual condition.
Regrettably for Henrietta’s caretakers, as the month of May well kicked
off, the fowl was stolen from the sanctuary.
Proprietor Erin Yanz expressed disbelief and confusion around the
theft, expressing the pen Henrietta sat in was 6 ft tall so she was
unable to hop in excess of it, also introducing that it remained closed.
“With no a trace. She was just absent,” Ms Yanz said,
talking to FOX 32 Information.
“7am, I came out and long gone. Just vanished. Failed to make
any feeling at all.”
Given that the disappearance of Henrietta, Ms Yanz reported her daughter
has experienced trouble accepting the situation, in particular because she
would pay a visit to the turkey many instances a day.
“She goes by means of the loss of her animal friends at 10
periods the level that typical youngsters do,” Ms Yanz explained.
“Henrietta was a good friend of hers, and someone who she would
pay a visit to each day.”
Erin’s Farm Animal Sanctuary Supply $1,500 Reward
for Henrietta’s Harmless Return as Youngsters with Disabilities in
the Local community Left Heartbroken Over Bird Theft
With no indication of Henrietta anywhere, the proprietors at Erin’s
Farm animal rescue sanctuary have now presented a reward of $1,500
for the secure return of the hen.
The bird’s caretakers have because worked out that the man or woman
liable for the stealing would have had to go via at the very least
a few locked doorways and gates to get to the hen, ruling out any
theories that a predator or animal was accountable.
They have also shared their perception that the incident may perhaps have
been a prank.
In the meantime, according to community police, the group at huge is
heartbroken about the bird’s theft.
In unique, it is understood that youngsters in the locale -
many with disabilities on their own – appreciated the dedication
that Henrietta displayed, with quite a few even intensely pinpointing with
her.
“They are survivors, like us,” Ms Yanz claimed.
“Their incapacity isn’t really likely to stop them from hopping
all around or acquiring a typical daily life.
“It can be inspiring for kids to see that.”
The reward for Henrietta’s secure return in the beginning stood at
$1,000, but in the desperation to find her, Erin’s Farm
amplified that quantity to $1,500.
Law enforcement have also released an investigation into the theft.
The family who owns the sanctuary is now
pleading with the culprit to do the appropriate thing.
“Make sure you, get treatment of her,” the household has urged.
“If she’s returned harmless by the man or woman who took her
or some nameless man or woman, we will be happy to take her back and we
will wander absent.”
Erin’s Farm spans 33-acres and appears to be soon after animals such as
hens, roosters, pigs, goats, horses, cows and turkeys.
Most of these animals and birds are rescued from factory
farms.
According to Ms Yanz, very last year, Henrietta experienced to endure a leg
amputation because of an infection.
But that did not split the bird’s spirit.
“Each and every time I opened the doorway in the early morning, even with her
lousy foot, she was hopping out the doorway, content as can be. The
happiest small animal at any time,” Ms Yanz claimed.
“It will not make any feeling.
“She’s harmless, she’s handicapped, she’s the
sweetest tiny detail. She doesn’t harm any person. It just appears to be
particular to me.”
Even though some of us could possibly assume stealing animals or birds
ordinarily stored in confinement would make for a very good prank, it is
truly a legal offence.
If you are in NSW, this is reflected in Portion 505 of the Crimes Act
1900.
Area 505 tends to make crystal clear that a particular person is responsible of thieving an
animal or fowl ordinarily held in confinement if they:
- 
- Steal any animal or chicken ordinarily saved in a state of
confinement, or for any domestic goal, but not becoming the issue
of larceny at Widespread Legislation, or

- 
- Get rid of any this kind of animal or fowl with intent to steal the
exact same.

The most penalty for this offence is 6 months in jail, or a
wonderful of $550, or the two. It ought to also be observed that section 506 of the Crimes Act
1900 helps make apparent that for a next offence, the utmost
penalty is a person calendar year in jail.
