Woodland farmer begs: Bring my calf back home

HELP ME: Farmer Robin Laggan shows a photo on his cellphone of his cow and its calf, the latter which was stolen from Laggan’s Woodland property.  - MARVIN HAMILTON
HELP ME: Farmer Robin Laggan shows a photo on his cellphone of his cow and its calf, the latter which was stolen from Laggan’s Woodland property. - MARVIN HAMILTON

FARMER Robin Laggan is appealing to whoever stole his 14-day old calf from a field in Woodland to return his animal to him.

In an interview at Newsday's office at Carlton Centre, San Fernando, Laggan said he was very distressed about the entire situation.

As he showed a video of the calf taken on September 15, the day it was born, Laggan said, "It's just a baby drinking milk (from its mother)."

Laggan said he left the calf and its mother in a field near his property at M2 Ring Road in Woodland on Sunday. When he returned on Monday around 5 pm, he heard the female bawling and realised that something was wrong.

On investigation with one of his workmen, Laggan said they discovered the calf was missing. They found a slipper in the field and realised the calf had been stolen.

Laggan said while he was searching for the calf on Monday, its mother followed him around, desperately looking for her baby. He said the calf is dependent on its mother's milk to survive and was recovering from a navel infection, which was almost healed.

Laggan, 58, said he has been rearing cattle for the last seven to eight years. Before that, he had been rearing ducks and goats for the last 35 years. Laggan said farming is a hobby of his from which he also gets some income.

A day-old calf could fetch a approximately $2,500. He also said last September, three calves and a pregnant cow were stolen from his property. That theft cost him $36,000.

On Monday one of his neighbours discovered three bulls missing from his property, but those animals were found.

Laggan appealed to Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat to do whatever he could to protect farmers' livestock against thieves.

Laggan made a report to the police, but is also begging whoever stole the calf to return it and appealing to members of the public for any information about his stolen calf. People can call him at 399 3685, any time, day or night.

"See something, say something."

In August, Sylvia and Vernon Dopson were devastated when 21 goats were stolen from their property in La Romaine. They had been rearing animals for over 46 years.

The Prime Minister, who is a registered farmer, had a peacock stolen from his family's farm in Mason Hall, Tobago, earlier this year.

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"Woodland farmer begs: Bring my calf back home"

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