11/14/2024
MCSO WARNS EQUINE COMMUNITY TO BE ON HIGH ALERT FOLLOWING HORSE THEFTS IN SURROUNDING COUNTIES
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office is urging our equine community to remain on high alert after reports of horse thefts in Okeechobee and St. Lucie counties.
Although we have not received any reports of horses being stolen in Martin County, we did get a suspicious incident report involving an individual trespassing and photographing a home with a horse barn. While we cannot officially connect these incidents, we want our robust equine community to be fully aware of what has occurred in our neighboring areas.
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office has an Agricultural Unit that will be working to inform our local communities about these occurrences in hopes of preventing horse thefts here. We ask everyone to share this information and remain vigilant. For now, here is a few reminders for horse owners.
Please ensure that all gates, fencing, and barns are secure, and check regularly for any signs of tampering.
Keep recent photos and records of your horses, including microchip information and registrations, as this can aid law enforcement in the event of a theft.
Make sure your exterior security cameras are activated and recording, and always report any suspicious activity or vehicles immediately.
We encourage you to inform and collaborate with your equine neighbors to create a network of awareness regarding this issue.
