A landscaper’s novel approach to clear-cutting an unsightly property has hit him hard in the pocket.
For some of the herd of sheep Sandy Chappell put on the property to chow down the weed was stolen Tuesday night.
Six of Chappell’s 31-strong Barbados-breed herd disappeared in the night from the vacant lot next to McDonald’s in the 8100 block of Alderbridge Way, costing him around $1,500 in lost livestock.
Chappell only realized when animal welfare officers arrived to inspect the site on Tuesday and their count differed from his.
“(The thieves) have snipped the fence,” said Chappell.
“I have an idea of who it might have been and I’ve told the police.”
Richmond RCMP are probing the brazen theft from the fenced and are asking anyone with information to contact them at 604 278 1212 or report it to Crimestoppers at 1 800 222- 477.
The News told this week how Chappell, after being tasked by the developer landowner to tidy up the overgrown site, came up with the idea to use sheep to chew down the rest of the property.
Chappell, who keeps a 60-strong herd on a few acres on Odlin Road, thought it would be an environmentally-friendly solution that would benefit everyone.
But his green-minded plan contravened a whole host of the city’s animal control bylaw subsections and he was told Tuesday to remove the sheep.
He said he has until next Wednesday to remove them or face possible bylaw infraction fines.
