Police canine unit recovers farmer’s livestock after night theft, but suspected thieves remain at large
Police in Ibanda District have recovered 10 stolen goats belonging to a local farmer after a police tracking dog, Donatella, followed a scent trail to where the animals had been tied together, apparently awaiting transportation.
The goats belonged to Asasira Tobius, whose goat pen was reportedly broken into by unknown thieves during the night of October 20, 2026, in Kicuzi Cell, Kicuzi Parish, Kicuzi Sub-county, Ibanda District.
The thieves reportedly stole all 10 goats before disappearing, leaving the farmer to discover the loss and report the incident to Ibanda Central Police Station.
Police officers responded by visiting the scene, assessing the circumstances surrounding the theft and documenting evidence to support investigations.
Police Dog Follows Scent Trail to Stolen Goats
The breakthrough came after canine handlers attached to the Ibanda Police Canine Unit were deployed to track down the missing animals.
According to police, the team found that the scene had been preserved, allowing the tracking dog to pick up a scent.
The handler introduced Donatella, a police tracking dog, to the established scent bed. The dog picked up a human target scent and immediately began following the trail through the surrounding farmland.
The trail eventually led the team to a location where all 10 goats were found tied together, raising suspicions that the animals were being held there before being moved elsewhere.
The recovery brought relief to the farmer, who had lost his livestock in the overnight raid.
Suspects Escape as Investigations Continue
Despite recovering the animals, police were unable to apprehend any suspects at the location.
Officers searched the surrounding area in an effort to locate the individuals believed to be behind the theft, but nobody was found at the recovery site.
The recovered goats were subsequently handed back to their rightful owner, Asasira Tobius.
Police say investigations are ongoing to identify, trace and arrest the suspected thieves.
The recovery highlights the role of canine units in livestock theft investigations, particularly in rural communities where stolen animals can be moved quickly through farms and remote areas.
For now, the goats are back with their owner, but the people behind the theft remain at large as police pursue leads in the case.
